The Southwest light-rail Corridor Management Committee met last week to hear an update about the proposed $1.9 billion transit project linking Minneapolis and Eden Prairie.
Planners of the 14.5-mile line, which also would serve St. Louis Park, Hopkins and Minnetonka, shored up $145 million in local funding this month after state lawmakers failed to fund 10 percent of the project. The Metropolitan Council can now apply to the Federal Transit Administration next year for a grant that would pay half the project's total cost.
An overview of the project revealed that 153 parcels must be purchased to make way for the line. Twenty-nine new bridges (for trains, pedestrians, roads and freight rail) will be erected, and modifications made to seven existing bridges. Six pedestrian tunnels, two tunnels along Hwy. 62 and in the Kenilworth corridor, and 110 retaining walls will be built.
Members of the committee, including mayors of cities along the line, said they were relieved that the funding issue was resolved. Edina Mayor Jim Hovland said that the Met Council should avoid state lawmakers when funding transit in the future.
Heavy construction would begin in the second half of 2017, with service expected to begin in 2021.
JANET MOORE
Minnetonka
Watershed district seeks highest levy hike in years
West metro taxpayers likely will see a 7 percent increase in taxes levied next year by the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District, which would be its biggest increase since 2006.
Officials with the district, which covers 181 square miles from Minnehaha Falls to Lake Minnetonka, announced the levy increase after the board of managers approved the proposed 2017 budget of $13.5 million with a $9.3 million levy.
Officials said the 7 percent increase is needed to continue water quality work along the creek, including the most degraded stretch at the Greenway in Hopkins and St. Louis Park.
