Corridor-wide Activities: Eden Prairie, Minnetonka, Hopkins, St. Louis Park, Minneapolis In May, expect to see the following activities commence throughout the alignment as crews prepare for construction: Surveying and staking Erosion control Utility locates and potholing to pinpoint the exact location of underground utilities Utility relocation and/or removal by private utility companies (electric, gas, communication) Construction equipment and material delivery Removing trees, vegetation, roots, shrubs, grinding and stump removal Fence installation around work areas Conditions are changing along the corridor and we want you to be safe. Construction areas and work zones are considered restricted property and trespassing laws/fines will be enforced. Please observe signage around construction areas and note conditions may change. Safety is our number one priority during construction. Stay alert. Stay safe. Southwest LRT Construction Activities and Freight Trains Please note, with portions of the SWLRT construction corridor located immediately adjacent to active freight rail lines, freight trains will follow their standard operating rules when approaching a construction area. Freight trains are required to sound their horn as the train approaches a construction area that is occupied by workers or equipment adjacent to the freight line, until the front of the train has passed the construction area. This will mean additional train horn soundings during construction. Rail Delivery in St. Louis Park: As early as Monday, May 13 As early as Monday, May 13, regular freight rail trains will not be running because a special train will deliver and unload new rail. Freight rail delivery will occur from 6:00 AM – 4:00 PM and take between two to four days to deliver the new rail segments. As of today, the rail delivery dates are Monday, May 13 through Tuesday, May 14 and if needed, Saturday, May 18 and Sunday, May 19. Approximately 54 rail segments, each roughly 1,600 feet long, will be unloaded and placed adjacent to the existing freight rail track between TH 100 and Beltline Blvd in St. Louis Park. The rail delivery train will be moving very slowly and repeatedly stopping and reversing throughout the delivery process. Signal technicians will be placed at intersection crossings to engage the rail crossing signals to allow traffic to cross the tracks. Please note, the dates and times for rail delivery are subject to change. Cedar Lake and Kenilworth Trail Closures: Monday, May 13 The Cedar Lake Trail and Kenilworth Trail close on Monday, May 13 (see detour map below) and will be closed for two to three years. Detour signage will notify trail users of alternative routes which have been designed in coordination with members of the biking community and project partners. Details: Cedar Lake Trail: Closed through Hopkins and St. Louis Park until Fall 2021 The portion of the Cedar Lake Trail that is closing starts just east of the North Cedar Lake Trail connection in Hopkins to France Ave in St. Louis Park. At this time, automobiles, bikes and pedestrians will continue to cross at Jackson St, Blake Road, Louisiana Ave, Wooddale Ave, TH-100 and Beltline Blvd. Cedar Lake Trail will remain open between France Ave in St. Louis Park and Kenilworth Trail/Midtown Greenway intersection in Minneapolis. The Midtown Greenway will remain open. Kenilworth Trail: Closed in Minneapolis until Summer 2022 The portion of the Kenilworth Trail that is closing starts at the intersection with the Midtown Greenway and extends northeast to just south of W 21st St. At this time, automobiles, bikes and pedestrians will continue to cross at Cedar Lake Parkway and at W 21st St. Kenilworth Trail access will remain open between W 21st St and the North Cedar Lake Trail, even though construction activities may commence in this area and trail access will be modified. The Midtown Greenway will remain open. After the trails are closed, the civil contractor will start the following construction activities that do not result in significant vibration generation: Field surveys Installation of construction site fencing and erosion control work Utility relocations Clearing and grubbing, including tree removal Upcoming Roadway Closures: Advanced detour signage will go up approximately seven days prior to closure. As more information is available, we will include in weekly updates. Community Roadway As Early As Duration Eden Prairie PARTIAL CLOSURE of east-bound ramp (down to one lane) from Valley View Rd to TH 212 June 1 Approx. 3 – 4 weeks Hopkins FULL CLOSURE of Excelsior Blvd at the intersection of Jackson Ave N and Milwaukee St Late May Two, 2-week closures (approx. 28 days total) Hopkins FULL CLOSURE of Blake Rd at the Cedar Lake Trail and freight rail crossing June Approx. up to 2 weeks Glenwood Avenue and Cedar Lake Trail in Minneapolis: Closing as early as June 3 Full road closure between Lyndale Ave N and 11th St N is scheduled to close as early as June 3; local access to businesses will be maintained. Generally, vehicle detours will use Lyndale Ave, Olson Memorial Highway and 7th/10th Streets. Pedestrian detour will utilize Border Ave., Holden St. and Royalston Ave. sidewalks. Advanced detour signage will go up approximately seven days prior to the roadway closure. More details will follow in the May 17 construction update. Cedar Lake Trail Minneapolis: Closing as early as June 3 The Cedar Lake Trail in Minneapolis from Linden Yards located west of Van White Blvd. to east of Royalston Ave. will close as early as June 3 and be closed for approximately two years. Detour signage will notify trail users of alternative routes which have been designed in coordination with members of the biking community and project partners. More details and a map of the detour will follow in the May 17 construction update. Stakeholder Outreach Project staff will be at pop-up events and community presentations to share upcoming construction information with residents, businesses and trail users. Follow us on Twitter (@SouthwestLRT) for the latest information. Saturday, May 11: Trail pop-up along the Kenilworth Trail south of Cedar Lake Parkway; 9:00 AM – Noon Saturday, May 11: Trail pop-up along Cedar Lake Trail at Wooddale Ave; 10:00 AM – Noon Thursday, May 16: Trail pop-up at Cedar Lake Trail and Hopkins Depot; 6:00 – 9:00 AM Friday, May 17: Trail pop-up at Cedar Lake Trail and Beltline Blvd; 6:00 – 9:00 AM Cedar Lake and Kenilworth Trail Detours Posted In: