Environmental Events

The Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority (HCRRA) published the Southwest Transitway Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on October 11, 2012. HCRRA, which served as the project sponsor and Responsible Governmental Unit during preparation of the Draft EIS, hosted three public hearings in November 2012 to receive comments on the document. The purpose of these hearings was to provide an opportunity for the public to comment on the content of the Draft EIS document; no action was taken at the hearings.

Freight rail, water resources, and landscape impacts evaluation (2014)

In response to local concerns, the Southwest LRT Project initiated studies of freight rail options, water resources and landscaping in December 2013.

In January 2014, the Metropolitan Council hosted a series of facilitated public meetings focused on the scope of the studies.

In February 2014, the Metropolitan Council hosted public community meetings focused on the draft reports prepared by the independent consultants evaluating freight rail location and water resources impacts.

Supplemental Draft EIS Hearings

The Metropolitan Council published the Southwest LRT Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on May 22, 2015 and held three public hearings to receive comments on the document in June 2015. An open house was held in conjunction with each public hearing. The purpose of these hearings was to provide an opportunity for the public to comment on the content of the Supplemental Draft EIS document; no action was taken at the hearings.

Hearing Dates and Locations

• Hopkins Center for the Arts, June 16, 2015
• Eden Prairie City Center, June 17, 2015
• Dunwoody College of Technology (Minneapolis), June 18, 2015