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Minnesota voters may get to devote auto taxes to roads and bridges
Amendment to earmark vehicle-related sales taxes has mixed support at Capitol.

For transit stations, public art brings both beauty and budgetary concerns
Fourteen years after the Blue Line began service, several of the station's tiles are cracked and gouged due to vandalism and climate.
MnDOT reveals 2018 road construction projects
The $1.1 billion worth of projects include major work to be done on I-35W and I-94 in the metro area.

Rush Line BRT project inches forward between St. Paul and White Bear Lake
Service between St. Paul and White Bear Lake is expected to begin in 2026.

Southwest light-rail line opponents appeal judge's ruling
The action keeps a legal case opposing the line alive after more than three years.
Light-rail supporters relieved to see transit funding in federal spending plan
Southwest, Bottineau LRT will be applying for $1.7 billion in the next year.

SWLRT freight agreements approved by Hennepin County, Met Council
Pacts with freight lines allow officials to pursue $929 million federal grant.
Construction officially begins on C-Line rapid bus
C-Line is the latest in a push to improve bus service in rapidly growing suburban areas.

Measure to tighten drunk-driving laws for snowmobiles, ATVs advances
Measure comes after death of 8-year-old boy in Chisago County.

Firm that designed Florida ped bridge has worked in Minnesota
Designer worked on major spans over the Mississippi River.

Bill introduced at Minn. Capitol calls for lane hogs to move right
"Slowpoke" laws are gaining steam nationally, with about a dozen states enacting similar measures.

Janet Troutman Simmons was a community leader until her death at 90
When Janet Troutman Simmons learned that her senior apartment building in St. Paul was about to be sold and most of its…
More challenges surface with Southwest light-rail project
After negotiations break down with freight rail operator, Met Council considers new plan to move project forward.
BNSF plans $90 million in rail improvements in Minnesota
State serves as critical freight link between Pacific Northwest and Chicago.

MSP Airport to build more bathroom areas ... for animals
MSP Airport plans to build more facilities to accommodate passengers with pets.
Passenger rail connecting Minneapolis to Duluth clears key hurdle toward reality
Feds say a Northern Lights Express corridor won't significantly affect environment.
Met Council may explore Uber, Lyft service for disabled people
As baby boomers age and demand for new transit options surges, other cities including Boston, Kansas City and the St. Petersburg, Fla. area, are experimenting with programs involving ride-sharing firms, too.

Judge rules against residents who challenged SWLRT route
Minneapolis residents had tried to block the $1.9 billion Southwest light-rail project by arguing that the Metropolitan Council violated federal law when it chose to route the rail line through the Kenilworth corridor.

Souped-up bus lines are getting a green light in Twin Cities
In the coming years, 10 more rapid-bus lines will snake throughout the metro's busiest transit corridors — and last week, the network's build-out reached two milestones. Advocates say rapid-bus service offers passengers a light-rail-like experience but is far cheaper to build and maintain.
Trump budget nixes key funding for local light-rail, bus projects
But transit planners say Congress crafts the budget, and much can change.

Bids come in too high for Mall of America LRT station overhaul
The Met Council will look for ways to cut construction costs, and then call for new bids next month.
Blue Line extension talks stall between Met Council, BNSF
Agreement needed for the proposed LRT line to move forward.
MnDOT study mulls tolls as a possible funding fix for roads
Minnesota has relied partly on gas tax revenue for highway upkeep, but that financial kitty has been shrinking. Lawmakers point out the MnDOT analysis doesn't necessarily mean tollbooths are on the horizon.

Private planes, drones will be restricted over Twin Cities during Super Bowl
Private aircraft, drones to be barred from flying over U.S. Bank Stadium on Sunday
Security deployed at Super Bowl is largest in Minnesota history
It's an enormously complex effort involving hundreds of officers from 60 police departments across the state, 40 federal agencies, the Guard and more.

Southwest light-rail project faces questions from lawmakers
Commission was created to oversee regional planning body.
Two lawmakers from Minneapolis call for SWLRT vibrations study
Probe would look at how LRT would affect condo complex.

St. Paul, Minneapolis aren't in tandem when it comes to dockless bikes
St. Paul won't be part of a proposal being rolled out in Minneapolis.
Gold Line bus rapid transit wins critical federal approval
Dedicated busway along I-94 to Woodbury would be a first in Minnesota.

Nice Ride chooses firm to transition to dockless bike sharing
New York firm picked to launch network in Twin Cities this summer.
Twin Cities suburbs rally for Bottineau Blue Line light-rail project
Benefits of 13-mile project linking Brooklyn Park, Minneapolis and more touted.
High-speed rail study shut down by two GOP lawmakers
They said an environmental study exploring the route from the Twin Cities to Milwaukee was a waste of taxpayer dollars.

MSP Airport grab-and-go meals distributed to homeless
Mpls. nonprofit, airport restaurants join forces to feed many.

MSP Airport works around clock to prepare for holiday travel rush
Experts expect air travel to increase 3.5 percent this year. Friday was the busiest day for passengers clearing security, according to airport officials.

Longtime Star Tribune sports editor enjoyed food, wine, good company
It takes a special kind of person to work on a newspaper's night desk — an audacious sort who doesn't fear crushing deadlines and punishing…
Met Council overhauls SWLRT bid package — delaying construction again
Addition of crash wall is among reasons the line's debut now set for 2023.
Minnesota legislators seek information on airport power outage plans
After Atlanta crisis, Minnesota legislators ask about disaster plans.

Committee recommends 'modern' streetcar line for West 7th Street
Project will span 11.7 miles connecting downtown St. Paul to MSP Airport, MOA.

MnDOT tests driverless shuttle bus
MnDOT puts driverless shuttle through its paces ahead of Nicollet Mall demonstration.

Decision barring Southwest LRT contractors questioned
To stem possible conflicts of interest, the Metropolitan Council banned the firms from working on the construction stage because they had worked on its earlier design and engineering phases. Groups call ban 'arbitrary' and 'misguided.'
New restaurant to open at St. Paul airport in time for Super Bowl
Airport is state's fourth-busiest, popular with private, corporate travelers.

SWLRT route cuts through historic path, complicating its future
Southwest light-rail project prompts review of Minneapolis industrial area.
Feds require new study for Southwest light-rail crash wall
The Federal Transit Administration is requiring an additional environmental study of a crash-protection wall that is planned along the proposed Southwest light-rail line. It is unclear whether the study will further delay the embattled $1.9 billion transit project.
Met Council member questions exclusive LRT use by Super Bowl ticket holders
Met Council's Gary Cunningham says "game-day pass" idea not properly vetted.
Twin Cities jobs available by transit declines
Hiring in suburbs leaves Twin Cities behind peers in jobs available by transit.
Public weighs in on streetcar proposal from St. Paul to MSP Airport
Idea delights some and worries some others.

Wall between freight, Southwest light-rail lines would affect historic district, feds say
Southwest planners must prepare mitigation plan.
Metro Transit workers to vote this weekend on whether to strike around Super Bowl
Union has concerns about work rules, security and outsourcing. Met Council confident deal will get done.

Two finalists vie to bring dockless biking to Twin Cities
Nice Ride will pick finalist in coming weeks; riders will see transition from bike stations.

Dockless bike sharing: Coming soon to the Twin Cities
Pioneering nonprofit wants to replace ubiquitous green bicycles

Worries grow that costs could still rise for Southwest light-rail line
A shortage of construction workers and uncertainty about a potential rise in the cost of building materials could follow Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria.

MSP spiffing up its carpeting, hopes to avoid Portland turf battle
No one expects the outrage that ensued when Portland replaced its carpeting.

MEA weekend is busy time in Minnesota to hit the road, skies
Travelers can expect long lines at the airport and sparse lodgings available Up North.
Advisory committee recommends streetcar for W. 7th Street transit
Riverview line would connect downtown St. Paul with MSP Airport, MOA.

Report on Met Council books adds fuel to bitter transit debate
Met Council under fire for "inconsistencies" in books, but says it's a misunderstanding.
Sides face off in court in protracted Southwest light-rail dispute
Judge says he will rule "quickly" on lawsuit filed more than three years ago to block project.

Public to be asked about controversial Southwest light-rail wall
Program seeks to allay fears about proposed crash wall.
MAC approves new $240 million, 11-story parking ramp at airport
It's the largest contract awarded in the commission's 74-year history.

MSP plans big changes on retail and food front
Travelers at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport have their choice of nearly 50 new retailers and restaurants added over the past year. And more changes are coming.
New eateries approved for Terminal 1 at MSP Airport
More than two dozen new eateries are planned for the busiest terminal at MSP — ranging from local favorites to national chains offering sushi to steak.

Southwest light-rail wall draws the ire of Minneapolis, state officials
Met Council asked to study how barrier will affect Minneapolis.
Met Council rejects Southwest light-rail bids
The decision responded to pricier-than-expected construction proposals, but the delay will add costs.
TSA says new security lanes will speed up MSP screening — eventually
TSA formally introduced four "innovation lanes" at the south checkpoint in Terminal 1 a week ago and showed them off Tuesday. MSP is the seventh airport in the nation to be outfitted.

Obituary: Artist Alexandria Russell Bowen embraced world with adventure, wit
It would be a bit of an understatement to say Alexandria Russell Bowen led a rich and full life. Known as Andy, Bowen canoed the…
Contractors disappointed with Met Council plan to rebid Southwest light rail
Council says construction bids were too high; all could be rejected.

Met Council chair recommends rejecting all Southwest LRT bids as too high
New Met Council leader recommends rejecting four bids as too high.

MSP noise concerns pushing to new corners of Twin Cities
Citizens' group says thousands more metro residents are affected by the din of planes, and the noise has increased 30 percent since 2014.

Southwest LRT barrier wall raises the ire of neighbors, lawmakers
Minneapolis, Met Council to work on community engagement over wall's appearance.
Met Council approves rail agreements for Southwest light rail
Concerns about a concrete wall along a part of the route concern Minneapolis officials and state lawmakers.

Construction bids submitted for Southwest light rail, but challenges remain
Move is a "milestone" but bids now face scrutiny from Met Council staff.
Way cleared for Southwest LRT project to seek nearly $1B from feds
Talks with Met Council clear way for project to apply for $929 million in federal money.

Eden Prairie Town Center stop may be added back to Southwest LRT
The mall stop was deferred two years ago due to budget cuts.

Airport cabbies riled over new rules on credit card transactions
Several hundred taxicab drivers at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport are upset about new rules overseeing the way credit card payments are processed for cab rides. The MAC says it's balancing needs of drivers and cab customers.

State dealing with glitches in new license tab, plate computer system
Some vehicle owners are reporting long waits for their tabs, titles and plates.
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