The $1.65 billion Minneapolis Southwest Light Rail extension is up for the North American Project of the Year, specifically for its superior engineering detail, at next week’s forum hosted by the globally recognized firm CG/LA Infrastructure in Washington, D.C.
“CG/LA Infrastructure spotlights North America’s most consequential endeavors that deliver on near-term economic growth and opportunity creation,” said Norman F. Anderson, president and CEO of CG/LA Infrastructure. “Extending Metro’s reach along the Green Line can potentially revitalize work and leisure activities for residents in the Minneapolis region with 17 new stations and miles of new track.”
Mark Fuhrmann will present the project to more than 500 industry executives at CG/LA’s 6th North American Strategic Infrastructure Leadership Forum on Oct. 29, 2014 at the Mayflower Renaissance Hotel in Washington, D.C.
The extension will operate from downtown Minneapolis through the communities of St. Louis Park, Hopkins, Minnetonka, and Eden Prairie, passing in close proximity to Edina. The proposed alignment includes 17 new stations and approximately 16 miles of double track.
It will be part of an integrated system of transit, including connections to the Metro Blue Line, the Northstar Commuter Rail line, bus routes and proposed future transitways. It will be funded through a combination of federal, state and local sources. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2016 with service anticipated in 2019.
“The Southwest Light Rail extension will deliver exponentially more efficient and reliable transportation to those who live and work in the area,” Fuhrmann said. “I will be honored to discuss the technical creativity that brought it to reality with my industry peers at CG/LA’s North American Strategic Infrastructure Leadership Forum on Oct. 29.”
