While there are many benefits to the Blue Line Extension project, there are also some environmental and community impacts that require thoughtful strategies to address.
The strategies identified below are being explored by the Blue Line Extension Project and are subject to final approval by the Federal Transit Administration. Project impacts were detailed in the Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement in 2024. Specific project commitments to address impacts will be detailed in the Supplemental Final Environmental Impact Statement in mid-2025.
To guide how the project addresses specific impacts, community input is needed for the following topics:
Impact: Community amenities, character, and cohesion would be impacted by the project due to the conversion of the residential street to a transit and biking mall. Examples of impacted amenities include things like places of worship and schools. Example strategies to address impact: Cultural placekeeping, public realm improvements, and community investment would be used to create a stronger corridor community. This would create a better experience for the community to live, work, walk, roll, bike, take transit, and gather.
Impact: Risk of indirect displacement. Example strategies to address impact: The project will invest in local community organizations to offset project impacts by providing funding to local community organizations. Examples of services and activities include:
Impact: Restricted access for customers and employees, parking impacts, general visual and noise disruptions, and utility disruptions. Example strategies to address impact: Project staff will develop a Construction Mitigation Plan for the Metropolitan Council and contractors to offset challenges faced by corridor businesses during construction.
Strategies may include:
Impact: A need for access to relocation assistance, business support, and construction complaints, Example strategies to address impact: An online portal and two physical storefronts in Brooklyn Park and Minneapolis would be opened to improve access to project and anti-displacement resources like relocation assistance, business support, and construction complaints.
Impact: Effect on community character and existing infrastructure, Example strategies to address impact: The project would include public realm improvements and modernize infrastructure elements to offset impacts to community character and improve existing infrastructure.
Current improvements under consideration, include:
Impact: Risk of indirect displacement. Example strategies to address impact: The Met Council would implement workforce development initiatives and leverage existing workforce development programs in the Blue Line Extension corridor.
These programs would improve job prospects, lower the risk of economic displacement, and support the creation of generational wealth in corridor communities.
Impact: Disturbance to existing architectural aesthetic. Example strategies to address impact: Cultural placekeeping design groups will be convened to guide the design of architectural, aesthetic, and visual elements of the project.
Groups will consist of community members from each corridor city to provide input on visual design elements such as station platforms, sidewalks, and lighting.
These cultural placekeeping design groups will:
To ensure we’re meeting community needs, your input is needed to help inform how the project addresses these environmental and community impacts.
A summary of all the impacts identified in the SDEIS are listed below along with examples of possible strategies to address them. Final impacts, strategies, and commitments will be available in the SFEIS in mid-2025.
Learn more about all of the impacts identified.
Impact: The Blue Line Extension is consistent with regional growth objectives and city/county transit and mobility goals.
Example strategies to address impact: N/A
Impact: Due to its dense urban environment, the City of Minneapolis would have several impacts to community amenities like schools, businesses, and places of worship.
Noise impacts along the proposed route may affect community character along 21st Ave in Minneapolis.
Example strategies to address impact: Property purchases and relocation would follow fair compensation and relocation assistance requirements.
Community investment, cultural placekeeping, and public realm improvements would also be made to offset impacts to community character.
Improved transit, pedestrian, and bicycle conditions would improve accessibility to community amenities.
Impact: There would be approximately 30* full properties with buildings purchased along the corridor, with the majority in Minneapolis due to its dense environment.
*Estimate based on preliminary design as documented in the SDEIS. Actual property purchases will continue to be refined as design advances.
Example strategies to address impact: All property purchases would receive fair compensation and relocation assistance. Project staff and consultants will support all residents and businesses needing to relocate on an individual basis.
Impact: Identification of properties eligible for the National Register of Historic Places and assessment of impacts is underway and will be listed in the SFEIS.
Example strategies to address impact: Adverse effects to historic properties would be avoided or offset with commitments such as design considerations (use of special materials) or interpretation signage
Impact: Overall, visual character on most of the route would be neutral as the project is primarily built within existing roadways. Most visual impacts would occur in the northern area of the route where the Operations and Maintenance Facility would be constructed.
Example strategies to address impact: Cultural placekeeping and community-informed design would guide the visual character of the project.
Impact: Economic growth is expected due to improved access to housing, employment, and businesses. Transit oriented development around LRT stations could lead to increased property values and associated taxes. This could displace property and business owners and renters.
Example strategies to address impact: Anti-displacement measures within the project include workforce development, investment in community organizations, and cultural placekeeping. Project partners are also pursuing robust anti-displacement strategies outside the project.
Impact: Public transportation is one of the safest mobility options, and additional features will be added to improve the safety of those traveling.
Throughout the SDEIS comment period and other public engagement, the public identified safety and perceived safety on the light rail system as a concern for the project to address.
Example strategies to address impact: Actions outlined in Metro Transit’s Safety & Security Action plan would be applied. New roadway design will include enhanced safety features for people, walking, biking and driving.
Station design will include adequate lighting, video monitoring equipment, emergency callboxes, and accessibility features.
All project designs will be based on standards of Crime Prevention through Environmental Design.
Impact: Underground and above-ground utilities would require relocation.
Example strategies to address impact: Utility impacts would be addressed on a case-by-case basis with relocation requirements coordinated with utility owners. Relocated/replaced utilities will be brought up to modern standards.
Any utility interruptions would be communicated in advance and in coordination with affected properties.
Impact: Approximately 12 acres of floodplain would be impacted.
Example strategies to address impact: As design advances, opportunities to minimize impact and create replacement flood storage areas would be explored.
Impact: Approximately 9 acres of wetland and stormwater basins would be impacted.
Example strategies to address impact: Coordination with the United States Army Corps of Engineers and Wetland Conservation Act would define wetland mitigation, likely including purchase of wetland mitigation credits.
Impact: There would be no long-term impacts on geology, soils, and topography.
Example strategies to address impact: During construction, areas of poor soils may need to be modified to provide a stable base.
Impact: Over 100 known high-risk or potentially contaminated sites were identified within 500-550 feet of the route. An additional environmental assessment is underway and will inform the SFEIS to confirm extent of soil and/or groundwater contamination.
Example strategies to address impact: Contaminated soils and groundwater would be managed during construction to protect public health. Highly contaminated soils in construction areas would be removed and replaced.
Impact: Moderate noise impacts are expected at less than 25 properties in Brooklyn Park and Minneapolis. No moderate noise impacts are expected in Crystal or Robbinsdale. Severe noise impacts are expected at less than 15 properties in Minneapolis.
Noise impact levels are defined by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA).
Example strategies to address impact: Track design adjustments would reduce some noise impacts. Sound insulation such as replacement windows or doors, would also be considered when necessary.
Starting in 2025, coordination with impacted properties will be underway.
Impact: 2 properties in Minneapolis may be impacted by vibration. Vibration impacts levels are defined by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA).
Example strategies to address impact: Special trackwork that reduces vibration would be used.
Impact: About 10 acres of forested habitat and about 50 acres of meadow/prairie habitat would be impacted.
Example strategies to address impact: Efforts to reduce and offset these impacts would include tree replacement. Management practices to protect endangered species during construction would be followed and seasonal restrictions on tree clearing would be implemented.
Impact: Addition of approximately 59 acres of impervious surface.
Example strategies to address impact: Drainage systems and extension of stormwater drainpipes would be installed as part of the project along impervious surfaces.
Stormwater treatment ponds, infiltration basins, and filtration basins and systems would be installed, leading to a positive effect on water quality along the route compared to existing conditions.
Impact: There would be an overall reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG), carbon monoxide (CO), and mobile source air toxics (MSAT) emissions.
Example strategies to address impact: Contractors would be required to implement an air quality management plan to control dust during construction.
Impact: The reduction in personal vehicle miles combines with greater energy efficiency of LRT would result in a reduction of regional transportation energy use.