Southwest Light Rail Transit

The Southwest Light Rail Transit (LRT) project (METRO Green Line Extension) will operate on a route from downtown Minneapolis through the communities of St. Louis Park, Hopkins, Minnetonka, and Eden Prairie, passing in close proximity to Edina. The line will include 15 new stations and will be part of an integrated system of transitways, including connections to the METRO Blue Line, the Northstar Commuter Rail line, many bus routes, and proposed future transitways. The total estimated project cost of $1.858 billion will be funded by the Metropolitan Council and project partners through a mix of federal, state and local sources, with federal funds making up approximately half the total. At Target Field Station in Minneapolis, Green Line Extension trains will continue along the METRO Green Line, providing one-seat rides to the University of Minnesota, State Capitol area and downtown St. Paul. 

Project Status

The Southwest LRT Project is currently in the Engineering phase of the Federal Transit Administration’s New Starts funding process. All five cities along the proposed alignment and Hennepin County have approved preliminary design plans for Southwest LRT. Heavy construction is scheduled to take place between 2018 and 2022. The Project will begin passenger service as an extension of the METRO Green Line in 2023.