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The Metropolitan Council recently awarded a $205.1 million contract to Walsh Construction to build a seven-mile St. Paul segment for the Central Corridor light-rail line — the Twin Cities project’s first heavy construction contract.

Construction is expected to begin in August. The work includes relocating utilities; constructing seven miles of embedded double track; reconstructing streets where track is being installed; building 14 stations; modifying two bridges; installing concrete paving for signalized intersections; constructing at-grade pedestrian crossings; and demolishing a vacant building and reconnecting a skyway.

On July 27, the council will open bids for heavy construction work on the line’s western three miles; a contract will be awarded Aug.  25.

The Central Corridor, which will link downtown St. Paul and downtown Minneapolis, is slated to launch service in 2014.  The corridor will connect with the Hiawatha light-rail line at the Metrodome station in Minneapolis and Northstar commuter-rail line at the new Target Field Station. The bulk of the construction on the Minneapolis segment will start in spring 2011.

The council expects the Federal Transit Administration to award a Full Funding Grant Agreement for the Central Corridor in fall.