Light-rail emergency at U of M is only a test

It's only a test, but all the commotion at the University of Minnesota will look like the real thing. Starting at 9 a.m., more than 15 agencies will participate in a mock drill to simulate a derailment of a Green Line train.

The exercise will be concentrated in the Stadium Village area near TCF Bank Stadium on the U of M campus.

Smoke, individuals feigning distress or injury and fast-paced activity will be visible during this realistic exercise. Radio communication will also be used.

More than 250 people will be acting as first responders, controllers, evaluators and role players.

Metro Transit says that University Campus Connector and Metro Transit Route 272 bus service will be detoured from a portion of the Intercampus Transitway between the University’s Minneapolis and St. Paul campuses starting at 6 p.m. Monday, March 17, through Tuesday, March 18.

A news release from the Univeristy of Minnesota and the Met Council says that drills such as this are staged in part to meet federal requirements for new and existing rail lines.

Recent multi-agency exercises include a simulated derailment on the Northstar Line in Anoka in 2012 and a mock bus-train crash in Bloomington in 2011. In addition, the drill will provide valuable hands-on training for first responders, law enforcement and communicators. It also provides local agencies an opportunity to continue to strengthen their partnerships and ensure they are prepared to keep the campus community and public safe.