2023: Southwest LRT begins passenger service as part of the METRO Green Line.
2019 – 2022: Heavy construction.
September 2020: The Federal Transit Administration and the Metropolitan Council enter into a Full Funding Agreement securing federal funding for the project.
2019: Apply 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 Metropolitan Council and Hennepin County approve final scope & budget.
December 2016: The Federal Transit Administration approves Southwest LRT to enter the Engineering phase of the New Starts process.
August 2016: The Metropolitan Council approves scope & budget, 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 Metropolitan Council publishes the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS).
August – September 2015: Hennepin County and municipalities along the LRT route provide approval for the project in a second Municipal Consent process, covering changes in project scope described in the Supplemental Draft EIS.
June 2015: The Metropolitan Council holds three public hearings to receive comments on the Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement
May 2015: The Metropolitan Council publishes the Southwest LRT Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
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 Metropolitan Council hires Preliminary Engineering Consultants and begins Preliminary Engineering.
December 2012: The Metropolitan 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 (Draft EIS).
August 2012: The Metropolitan Council names a Business Advisory Committee to provide an avenue for input. The committee meets monthly and is co-chaired by Will Roach (Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce) and Daniel Duffy (TwinWest Chamber of Commerce).
May 2012: The Southwest Project Office opens in the Park Place West building in St. Louis Park.
April 2012: The Metropolitan 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 Metropolitan Council establishes a project management structure, and names a Corridor Management Committee to provide oversight. The committee is chaired by Metropolitan Council Chair Susan Haigh and includes representatives from Hennepin County and the cities of Minneapolis, St. Louis Park, Edina, Hopkins, Minnetonka, and Eden Prairie.
August 2010: The Metropolitan Council applies to the Federal Transit Administration for approval to enter Preliminary Engineering (PE).