Metropolitan Council OKs FEIS for Minneapolis Green Line extension

The final environmental impact statement (FEIS) for the Minneapolis-area Green Line extension is adequate, the Metropolitan Council announced earlier this week.

The move concludes the state environmental review process for the project under Minnesota administrative rules, according to the council.

During the FEIS public input period, the council received 50 comments, with some people supporting the project and others opposing it. The council wasn't required to respond to the comments, but did review and consider them as part of its determination of adequacy,.

Also known as the Southwest Light-Rail Transit project, the extension would run from downtown Minneapolis through St. Louis Park, Hopkins, Minnetonka and Eden Prairie, Minn. The project's cost is pegged at nearly $1.9 billion.

The project still requires $135 million in state money to receive full federal funding. Until the extension secures the remaining local funding, it can't move forward, according to the council.