2027: Anticipated opening of the line.
2025-2027: Systems construction and operational testing.
2019-2025: Structure and station construction, track installation.
September 2020: The Federal Transit Administration and the Met Council enter into a Full Funding Agreement, securing federal funding for the project.
2019: Heavy construction begins.
2019: Applied for Full Funding Grant Agreement, committing the federal government to pay 46 percent of the project’s capital cost.
May 2018: The Federal Transit Administration issues Amended Record of Decision. The Met Council and Hennepin County approve final scope and budget.
December 2016: The Federal Transit Administration approves Southwest LRT to enter the Engineering phase of the New Starts process.
August 2016: The Met Council approves scope and budget and Determination of Adequacy, and submits application to enter the Engineering phase of the Federal Transit Administration's New Starts funding process.
July 2016: The Federal Transit Administration issues Record of Decision.
May 2016: The Met Council publishes the Final Environmental Impact Statement.
August – September 2015: Hennepin County and municipalities along the route provide approval for the project in a second Municipal Consent process, covering changes in project scope described in the Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement.
June 2015: The Met Council holds three public hearings to receive comments on the Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement.
May 2015: The Met Council publishes the Southwest LRT Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement.
2015: Advanced Design Consultants continue design and engineering activities.
August 2014: In the Municipal Consent process, Hennepin County and cities along the Southwest LRT route review and approve preliminary plans.
January 2013: The Met Council hires Preliminary Engineering Consultants and begins Preliminary Engineering.
December 2012: The Met Council becomes the project lead with the transfer of Responsible Government Unit status from Hennepin County.
November 2012: Hennepin County holds three public hearings to receive public comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement. Nearly 1000 comments are received during the Draft EIS public review and comment period in November and December.
October 2012: Hennepin County publishes the Southwest Transitway Draft Environmental Impact Statement.
August 2012: The Met Council names a Business Advisory Committee to provide an avenue for monthly input.
May 2012: The Southwest Project Office opens in the Park Place West building in St. Louis Park.
April 2012: The Met Council names a Community Advisory Committee to provide an avenue for public input.
September 2011: The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) approves the project to begin Preliminary Engineering.
December 2010: The Met Council establishes a project management structure, and names a Corridor Management Committee to provide oversight.
August 2010: The Met Council applies to the Federal Transit Administration for approval to enter Preliminary Engineering.