The Metropolitan Council announced Christine Beckwith as the new project director for the METRO Blue Line Extension Project.
With more than 20 years of experience in transit and transportation, Beckwith will help guide the future of the Blue Line Extension as it moves towards the start of construction anticipated around 2025.
“I’m thrilled to rejoin the Blue Line team and reconnect with colleagues and stakeholders in the west metro on this important community investment,” Beckwith said. “As I hand over the reins of the Gold Line project, I also look forward to its continued success especially after our last five years of strong east metro partnerships.”
Beckwith began her career at the Minnesota Department of Transportation before accepting a position as the project controls manager on the METRO Green Line which eventually led to her promotion to project director of the project. She later served as a deputy program director of the METRO Green Line Extension and Blue Line Extension. For the past four years, Beckwith has served as the project director of the METRO Gold Line.
“From her decades of experience in transit and LRT projects, I can’t think of a better person to join the Blue Line Extension Project,” said Metro Transit Deputy General Manager of Capital Programs Nick Thompson. “I believe she is the right person at the right time to ensure this once-in-a generation investment is truly beneficial to our customers, residents, communities and region.”
Beckwith begins her tenure with the Blue Line Extension project this month, following the endorsement of the recommended route by the Metropolitan Council and Hennepin County in late June.
The project had been working with minimal staff as it awaited approval from the Met Council and Hennepin County. Now with the project moving forward with its environmental, design, anti-displacement and public engagement work, staffing on the project is expected to grow.
In the following weeks, as Beckwith gets acquainted with her now role, she will be more visible at project events in the community.
