Track work to take parts of light-rail system off line this weekend

Metro Transit needs to do some construction and maintenance work on part of the light-rail system, and to do that the agency will shut down service on the Green Line and Blue lines in Minneapolis from 7 p.m. Friday until 3 a.m. Monday.

On the Blue Line, trains will not run between Franklin Avenue and Target Field. On the Green Line, trains will not run between Stadium Village at the University of Minnesota and Target Field.

Trains will run as normal elsewhere on both lines.

Buses will substitute for trains on the closed portions of the lines. While service will mirror light-rail schedules, trips by bus can take longer and riders should plan accordingly, Metro Transit said.

Here are the affected stations and where to catch replacement buses:

Stations where Green and Blue line trains share the tracks

Target Field Station: Board at 5th Street Transit Center

Nicollet Mall: 4th Street and Nicollet Mall

Government Center Plaza: 4th Street and 4th Avenue S.

U.S. Bank Stadium: 4th Street and Chicago Avenue S.

Blue Line

Cedar-Riverside Station: 6th Street and Cedar Avenue S.

Green Line

West Bank Station: Westbound on Washington Avenue near Wiley Hall. Eastbound on Washington Avenue near Blegan Hall.

East Bank Station: On Washington Avenue near Coffman Union