Bren Road East Closure

A section of Bren Road East is scheduled to be closed between Red Circle Drive and the northern segment of Bren Road East beginning on Monday, April 10 for the Southwest LRT. Advanced warning signs have been placed as a courtesy to the driving public.

Detours will direct motorists around the closure via Bren Road West  and a temporary two-way connection on Bren Road East, west of Blue Circle Drive. This closure is scheduled to last until July.

K-Tel Drive Closure

A section of K-Tel Drive is scheduled to be closed west of 5th Street South beginning Monday, April 10 for the Southwest LRT. Advanced warning signs have been placed as a courtesy to the driving public.

Detours will direct motorists around the closure via 11th Avenue South to Excelsior Boulevard  to Shady Oak Road. This closure is scheduled to last through 2023.

About the SWLRT

• Route and Stations – 5 miles with 16 stations from Minneapolis to Eden Prairie.
  
  • View detailed design plans (maps). Plans 7-10 show Minnetonka segments.
• Minnetonka Stations – Use the links to learn more about the location, design and visualization
  
  • Opus Station – Just north of Hwy 62 and west of Hwy 169
  • Shady Oak Station – Shady Oak Road and Excelsior Boulevard, shared by Minnetonka and Hopkins
  • City West Station – Just outside city’s southwest border
• Construction – 2018 to 2022 – Subscribe for Updates
• Service – Will begin in 2023

About the Green Line

• Currently runs from downtown St. Paul to downtown Minneapolis
• SWLRT extension will continue west through St. Louis Park, Hopkins, Minnetonka and Eden Prairie
• Part of integrated transit system that includes:
  
  • METRO Blue Line
  • Northstar Commuter Rail Line
  • Bus Routes

• November 2018 - Project receives critical approval and awards construction contract
• December 2018 - Groundbreaking and start of construction
• September 2020 - Minnesota receives full funding grant agreement
• 2019-2022 - Heavy construction
• 2022-2023 - Testing
• 2023 - Line opens

More precise construction and project timelines will be developed by the contractor. This timeline is tentative and subject to change.

• Visit Metropolitan Council’s Southwest Light Rail Transit project page to learn more and subscribe for email or text updates.
• Click here to view detailed design plans (maps). Plans 7-10 show Minnetonka segments.
• Shady Oak Area LRT Station Development Strategy project page
• SWLRT gets critical approval from federal government to begin construction (November 14, 2018)
• Lunda/McCrossan chosen to build Southwest LRT (November 15, 2018)
• Officials hold groundbreaking for Southwest Light Rail Project (December 3, 2018)

Take a virtual flyover tour of the Green Line Extension.

Minnetonka contacts

• James Mockovciak, Metropolitan Council Community Outreach Coordinator for Minnetonka, 612-373-3894
• Alisha Gray, City of Minnetonka Economic Development and Housing Manager, 952-939-8285

General project contact information

• 612-373-3888
• swlrt@metrotransit.org
• Met Council's Project contact website

Each community within the SWLRT corridor may have different zoning regulations that apply to construction of the transit line. As such, each community will have to take separate action on their separate regulations. The Minnetonka regulations pertaining to construction of the line pertain primarily to natural resources. The following approvals are required:

• Wetland Rezoning
• Alteration Permits
• Variances
• Conditional Use Permit
• Steep Slopes
• Tree Removal

Planning Commission

• Aug. 4, 2016
• Action: Recommended approval to the council
• Staff Report

City Council

• Aug. 22, 2016
• Action: Approved
• Staff Report

City Council

• Sept. 12, 2016
• Action: Approved
• Staff Report

City Council

• Sept. 26, 2016
• Action: Approved
• Staff Report

City Council

• Nov. 23, 2020
• Action: Approved the amended agreement
• Staff Report

Discussions regarding the Southwest Transitway began in 1980, when the Minnesota Legislature directed the Metropolitan Council to conduct a feasibility study of light rail transit (LRT) in the metro area, including a Southwest corridor. It concluded in 1981 that an LRT line showed promise. In the late 1980s additional study was done on the Southwest corridor and it showed LRT appeared to be a viable transportation solution.

In 2002 and 2003, the Hennepin County Regional Rail Authority (HCRRA) conducted the Southwest Rail Transit Study to study eight transit alternatives. In follow up to the Southwest Rail Transit Study, in 2005 the HCRRA initiated an Alternatives Analysis to evaluate transit options (modes and routes) for the Southwest Corridor. The study considered two Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) alternatives and eight LRT alternatives, in addition to regular bus service alternatives. Upon review of the Alternatives Analysis, three LRT routes were retained in order to determine which one would best serve Southwest metro residents and workers.

From 2008–2010, the three Southwest Transitway LRT routes identified in the Alternatives Analysis underwent an environmental study, called a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). At the end of this study, alignment 3A was selected as the Locally Preferred Alternative. An application was then made to the Federal Transit Administration to enter Preliminary Engineering. The Southwest LRT (now called the Green Line Extension) was granted permission to enter Preliminary Engineering in September 2011.

Additionally in late 2009, Hennepin County established the Southwest LRT Community Works project. The purpose of the Community Works project is to create a comprehensive and collaborative approach to the land use and engineering of the LRT line in order to maximize investment and benefits.

Engineering

• 1980-1981 — Metro area LRT feasibility study led by the Metropolitan Council. Concludes that an LRT line showed promise.
• Late 1980’s — Additional study was done on the Southwest corridor and it showed LRT to be a viable transportation solution.
• 2002-2003 — Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority (HCRR) conducted the Southwest Rail Transit Study to study eight transit alternatives.
• 2005-2007 — HCRRA initiates an Alternatives Analysis to evaluate both mode type and route options for transit in the Southwest corridor. The study considered two Bus Rapid Transit alternatives and eight LRT alternatives. Upon review, three LRT routes were retained in order to determine which one would best serve Southwest metro residents and workers.
• 2008-2010 — HCRRA conducts a Draft Environmental Impact Statement on the three routes identified in the Alternatives Analysis. At the end of this study, alignment 3A was selected as the Locally Preferred Alternative. An application was then made to the Federal Transit Administration to enter Preliminary Engineering.
• September 2011 — The Federal Transit Administration grants permission for the Southwest LRT (now called the Green Line Extension) to enter Preliminary Engineering.
• 2013-2014 — The Metropolitan Council conducts Preliminary Engineering and plans are completed to a 30 percent design.
• Summer 2014 — Hennepin County, the five Green Line Extension cities (including Minnetonka) complete Municipal Consent, which approves the project scope and budget.
• Spring 2015 — After additional design work and environmental review, the Green Line Extension is found to be over budget. Project scope and budget are reduced.

Land Use

• 2007 — Station area studies are completed on the 12 suburban stations. Future land uses within one-half mile of the stations are identified.
• 2009-Present — Hennepin County establishes the Southwest LRT Community Works project. The purpose is to create a comprehensive and collaborative approach to the land use and engineering of the LRT line in order to maximize investment and benefits.
• 2013 — A Corridor Investment Framework is completed. The purpose of the framework is to guide both public and private investment along the corridor.

Other Resources

• Metropolitan Council website
• Hennepin County Community Works website
• Southwest LRT station map

Reports and Documents

• Green Line Extension alignment
  
• Staff report for city council meeting on June 23, 2014
• Adopted 2014 municipal consent resolution