Metro Green Line Extension

Final EIS

Southwest LRT Final Environmental Impact Statement

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and the Metropolitan Council published the Southwest LRT Final Environmental Impact Statement (Final EIS) on May 13, 2016. The Final EIS identifies impacts from the Southwest LRT Project, including measures to avoid, minimize and mitigate these impacts. The Final EIS also includes the Project’s Final Section 4(f) Evaluation and Section 106 Memorandum of Agreement, and responds to comments received on the Draft EIS and Supplemental Draft EIS.

The complete Southwest LRT Final EIS is available on this page as PDF documents. Copies of the Final EIS are also available for public review at the locations listed below.

Determination of Adequacy

The Metropolitan Council (Council) as the Responsible Government Unit (RGU) is charged with determining the adequacy of the Final EIS for the Southwest Light Rail Transit (METRO Green Line Extension) Project (Project).  On August 10, 2016, the Council determined the Final EIS for Project is adequate. This concludes the state environmental review process for the Project under Minnesota Rules chapter 4410.

Record of Decision

The Record of Decision, signed by the FTA on July 15, 2016, provides the agency's determination that the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) and other relevant environmental regulations have been satisfied.

Final EIS Appendices

The Final EIS also includes a number of appendices that present additional information, including supporting documentation and responses to comments on the Draft EIS and Supplemental Draft EIS. 

SWLRT Final EIS Appendix A: List of Recipients PDF 160 kB
SWLRT Final EIS Appendix B: List of Preparers PDF 196 kB
SWLRT Final EIS Appendix C: Supporting Documents and Technical Reports PDF 241 kB
SWLRT Final EIS Appendix D: Sources and References Cited PDF 334 kB
SWLRT Final EIS Appendix E: Preliminary Engineering Plans PDF 32 MB
SWLRT Final EIS Appendix F: Development and Evaluation of Design Adjustments in SDEIS PDF 17.4 MB
SWLRT Final EIS Appendix G: Public Notices PDF 10.8 MB
SWLRT Final EIS Appendix H: Cultural Resources PDF 111 MB
SWLRT Final EIS Appendix I: Section 4(f) Supporting Documentation PDF 146 MB
SWLRT Final EIS Appendix J: Visual Resources PDF 48 MB
SWLRT Final EIS Appendix K: Noise and Vibration Supporting Documentation PDF 15 MB
SWLRT Final EIS Appendix L (Part 1 of 9): Draft EIS Comments Guide and Index PDF 1 MB
SWLRT Final EIS Appendix L (Part 2 of 9): Draft EIS Comments 1-299 PDF 65 MB
SWLRT Final EIS Appendix L (Part 3 of 9): Draft EIS Comments 300-399 PDF 52 MB
SWLRT Final EIS Appendix L (Part 4 of 9): Draft EIS Comments 400-499 PDF 110 MB
SWLRT Final EIS Appendix L (Part 5 of 9): Draft EIS Comments 500-599 PDF 107 MB
SWLRT Final EIS Appendix L (Part 6 of 9): Draft EIS Comments 600-699 PDF 27 MB
SWLRT Final EIS Appendix L (Part 7 of 9): Draft EIS Comments 700-899 PDF 105 MB
SWLRT Final EIS Appendix L (Part 8 of 9): Draft EIS Comments 900-997 PDF 33 MB
SWLRT Final EIS Appendix L (Part 9 of 9): Responses to Draft EIS Comments PDF 1.6 MB
SWLRT Final EIS Appendix M (Part 1 of 4) Supplemental Draft EIS Comments Guide and Index PDF 4 MB
SWLRT Final EIS Appendix M (Part 2 of 4): Supplemental Draft EIS Comments 1-146 PDF 90 MB
SWLRT Final EIS Appendix M (Part 3 of 4): Supplemental Draft EIS Comments 147-226 PDF 133 MB
SWLRT Final EIS Appendix M (Part 4 of 4): Responses to Supplemental Draft EIS Comments PDF 5.4 MB
SWLRT Final EIS Appendix N: Agency Coordination Letters PDF 52 MB

Technical Reports and Supporting Documents

The Final EIS incorporates by reference a number of technical reports and supporting documents that are relevant to the environmental analysis of the Southwest LRT Project. Documents listed in this section include the technical reports and other documents listed in Appendix C, the CWA Section 404 permit package, and Section 106 consultation materials.

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Southwest Rail Transit Study (HCRRA, 2003)
Southwest Transitway Alternatives Analysis (HCRRA, 2007)
Coordination Plan for Preparation of Southwest Transitway DEIS (HCRRA, 2008)
Southwest Transitway Scoping Summary Report (HCRRA, 2009)
SWLRT Operations and Maintenance Facility Basis of Design Report (Metropolitan Council, 2013)
SWLRT Kenilworth Corridor Vegetation Inventory (Metropolitan Council, 2014c)
SWLRT Opus Hill Tree Survey (Metropolitan Council, 2014b)
SWLRT West Construction Impacts Summary (Metropolitan Council, 2014c)
SWLRT Agency Coordination Plan (Metropolitan Council, 2014a)
SWLRT Communications and Public Involvement Plan (Metropolitan Council, 2015a)
SWLRT PEC East Traffic Technical Memo and Update 1 (Metropolitan Council, 2015b)
SWLRT PEC West Traffic Technical Memo (Metropolitan Council, 2015c)
SWLRT Air Quality and GHG Analysis Methodology and Results (Metropolitan Council, 2015d)
SWLRT Bus Transit Operations Plan Technical Memorandum (Metropolitan Council, 2015e)
ExpandCULTURAL RESOURCES EVALUATION SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION
ExpandGEOLOGY AND GROUNDWATER EVALUATION SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION
SWLRT Guide to the Supplemental Draft EIS (Metropolitan Council, 2015c)
SWLRT Acquisitions Technical Report (2015)
SWLRT EMI/EMF and Utility Impact Supporting Information (2016)
ExpandSURFACE WATER RESOURCES EVALUATION SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION
SWLRT Travel Demand Methodology and Forecast (2015)
SWLRT Visual Quality Guide for Key Structures (2015)
SWLRT Identification of Grant-Funded Parks and Natural Areas (Metropolitan Council, 2015b)
SWLRT Community Events, Meetings, and Presentations Summary Report (2015)
SWLRT Habitat Analysis (2015)
SWLRT Migratory Bird Analysis (2015)
SWLRT Hazardous and Contaminated Materials Evaluation Supporting Documentation
SWLRT Phase II Environmental Site Assessment Summary (2015)
SWLRT Safety and Security Management Plan (2015)
SWLRT East Construction Impacts Summary (2015)
SWLRT Construction Contingency Plan (2016)
SWLRT Cedar Lake Parkway/I-394 Light Rail Alignment Assessment (2016)
SWLRT Clean Water Act Section 404 Joint Permit Application Package (2015)
ExpandSECTION 106 CONSULTATION MATERIALS

Design Plans

The design of the Southwest LRT Project was evaluated in the Final EIS when approximately 90% of the required design and engineering had been completed. The design of the Project remains subject to change during the environmental review process. The plan documents on this page are provided for reference to the Final EIS. 

 
Southwest LRT 90% plans 01: SouthWest Station PDF 2.1 MB
Southwest LRT 90% plans 02: Prairie Center Drive PDF 2.3 MB
Southwest LRT 90% plans 03: Eden Prairie Town Center Station (deferred) PDF 2.4 MB
Southwest LRT 90% plans 04: Nine Mile Creek PDF 2.5 MB
Southwest LRT 90% plans 05: Golden Triangle Station PDF 2.2 MB
Southwest LRT 90% plans 06: City West Station PDF 2.3 MB
Southwest LRT 90% plans 07: Opus Station PDF 2.5 MB
Southwest LRT 90% plans 08: Minnetonka-Hopkins Bridge PDF 2.2 MB
Southwest LRT 90% plans 09: Shady Oak Station 1 PDF 2.4 MB
Southwest LRT 90% plans 10: Shady Oak Station 2 PDF 1.6 MB
Southwest LRT 90% plans 11: Downtown Hopkins Station PDF 2 MB
Southwest LRT 90% plans 12: Excelsior Blvd. PDF 1.7 MB
Southwest LRT 90% plans 13: Blake Road Station PDF 1.8 MB
Southwest LRT 90% plans 14: Minnehaha Creek PDF 2 MB
Southwest LRT 90% plans 15: Louisiana Ave. Station PDF 1.6 MB
Southwest LRT 90% plans 16: Wooddale Ave. Station PDF 1.6 MB
Southwest LRT 90% plans 17: Trunk Hwy. 100 PDF 1.4 MB
Southwest LRT 90% plans 18: Beltline Blvd. Station PDF 2.4 MB
Southwest LRT 90% plans 19: West Lake St. Station PDF 2.1 MB
Southwest LRT 90% plans 20: Cedar Lake Pkwy. PDF 1.8 MB
Southwest LRT 90% plans 21: West 21st Street Station PDF 1.9 MB
Southwest LRT 90% plans 22: Bryn Mawr (Penn) Station PDF 4 MB
Southwest LRT 90% plans 23: Bassett Creek Valley (Van White) Station PDF 2.7 MB
Southwest LRT 90% plans 24: Royalston Ave./Farmers Market Station PDF 2.3 MB

Review Copy Locations

During the review and comment period, review copies of the Southwest LRT Final EIS were available at the locations listed below.

 

Hennepin County Libraries

 

Minneapolis Central Library

Government Documents, Second Floor
300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55401

Eden Prairie Branch Library

565 Prairie Center Drive, Eden Prairie, MN 55344

Minnetonka Branch Library

17524 Excelsior Boulevard, Minnetonka, MN 55345

Hopkins Branch Library

22 11th Avenue North, Hopkins, MN 55343

St. Louis Park Branch Library

3240 Library Lane, St. Louis Park, MN 55426

Franklin Branch Library

1314 East Franklin Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55404

Linden Hills Branch Library

2900 West 43rd Street, Minneapolis, MN 55410

Sumner Branch Library

611 Van White Memorial Blvd., Minneapolis, MN 55411

Walker Branch Library

2880 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55408

State and Local Government Offices

 

Minnesota Legislative Reference Library

645 State Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55115

Metropolitan Council Library

390 Robert Street North, St Paul, MN 55101

MnDOT Transportation Library

395 John Ireland Blvd, St. Paul, MN 55155

Eden Prairie City Hall

8080 Mitchell Road, Eden Prairie, MN 55344

Edina City Hall

4801 West 50th Street, Edina, MN 55424

Hopkins City Hall

1010 1st Street South, Hopkins, MN 55343

Minneapolis City Hall

City Engineer's Office
350 South 5th St, Room 203, Minneapolis, MN 55415

Minnetonka City Hall

14600 Minnetonka Boulevard, Minnetonka, MN 55345

St. Louis Park City Hall

5005 Minnetonka Boulevard St. Louis Park MN 55416

Southwest LRT Project Office

6465 Wayzata Boulevard, Suite 500
St. Louis Park, MN 55426

Comments on the Final EIS

Comments on the adequacy of the Final EIS were accepted through June 13, 2016. Following the review period and consideration of the comments received on the adequacy of the FEIS, a Federal Record of Decision and Minnesota State Adequacy Determination are anticipated. The Record of Decision and Adequacy Determination will document the Council’s and FTA’s final decision regarding the environmental phase of the Project.

SWLRT Final EIS Comments Received from the General Public PDF 490 kB
SWLRT Final EIS Comments Received from Businesses, Community Groups, and Nonprofit Organizations PDF 40 MB
SWLRT Final EIS Comments Received from Agencies and Public Entities PDF 2.8 MB

Web document accessibility 

Many of the PDFs on the Metropolitan Council's website are structured to be read properly by screen readers and downloaded as text files. Download the latest version of Adobe Reader for best results. For more information, consult the Council's web accessibility resources.

METRO Green Line Extension

Green Line Extension Project Office
Park Place West Building, Suite 500
6465 Wayzata Boulevard
St. Louis Park, MN 55426

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Construction hotline: 612-373-3933

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