SWLRT CIVIL CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

Date: Friday, May 3, 2019

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.
 
Safety is our number one priority during construction.  Please observe signage around construction areas and note conditions may change: Stay alert. Stay safe.
 

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

 
Rail Delivery: As early as Saturday, May 11
 

As early as Saturday, May 11, 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. 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.

 
Trail Closures:  Monday, May 13
 

The Cedar Lake Trail and Kenilworth Trail close on Monday, May 13 (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

 
Glenwood Avenue 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. Advanced detour signage will go up approximately seven days prior to the roadway closure. More details will follow in the May 10 construction update.

 
 
 
Wildlife Assistance Resources
 

As construction begins, some wildlife may be displaced.  Should you come across animals that need assistance, contact your city’s animal control office or one of the following resources:  
University of MN’s Raptor Center: www.raptor.umn.edu
Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of MN: https://wrcmn.org

 
Stakeholder Outreach
 

Project staff will be at pop-up events and community presentations to share upcoming construction information with residents, businesses and trail users:
  • Saturday, May 4: Arbor Day Event at Round Lake in Eden Prairie; 9:00 AM - Noon
  • Tuesday, May 7: Trail pop-up at Cedar Lake Trail and Hopkins Depot; 2:00 PM – 5:30 PM
  • Tuesday, May 7: City of Eden Prairie Work Session, City Hall; 5:30 PM
  • Wednesday, May 8: Trail pop-up at Cedar Lake Trail and Wooddale Ave; 2:00 PM – 5:30 PM
  • Wednesday, May 8: Trail pop-up on Kenilworth Trail near Cedar Lake Pkwy; 2:00 – 4:00 PM
  • Saturday, May 11: Trail pop-up along the Kenilworth Trail; 9:00 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
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