The Metropolitan Council last week approved the light-rail line for the Bottineau Transitway, which will run 13 miles between Minneapolis and Brooklyn Park.
The council chose the route endorsed by Hennepin County, which runs from the Target Field area in Minneapolis through Golden Valley, Robbinsdale and Crystal to Brooklyn Park.
The action was not a surprise but marks another step forward for the project, which has been controversial in Golden Valley.
Worries about congestion, noise and possible damage to Wirth Park forced two votes by the Golden Valley City Council before members gave preliminary approval last winter. City councils in affected cities will vote again on the project in about two years.
The next steps for the project include a draft environmental impact statement and a new project application to the Federal Transit Administration.
The Bottineau light-rail line is expected to provide about 27,000 rides a day by 2030.
mary jane smetanka
@smetan
