Twin Cities: Eden Prairie Rail Stations Being Considered for Cuts

MN: Eden Prairie Rail Stations Being Considered for Cuts

KELLY SMITH ON JUN 4, 2015
SOURCE: STAR TRIBUNE (MINNEAPOLIS)


June 04--Community leaders are closing in on options needed to chop $341 million from the Southwest Corridor light-rail line plans by July.

On Wednesday, city and county leaders assessed the possible cuts and the big question: Where to end the line? The group informally dismissed two of four scenarios that would end the line at two stations in Eden Prairie because they wouldn't save enough money in the $2 billion transit project and would disproportionately affect the southwestern suburb.

"It was an important step forward," said Adam Duininck, who chairs the Metropolitan Council and the committee. "And we're helping lay a good framework."

The Southwest Corridor Management Committee, a 17-member group of officials with ties to the five cities along the line -- Minneapolis, St. Louis Park, Hopkins, Minnetonka and Eden Prairie -- and Metro Transit staff members are charged with cutting the $341 million from the 16-mile line's costs while making the project viable by attracting about 30,000 riders each day, all while reaching a consensus among the communities along the line.

No decisions were made at Wednesday's meeting, and no options have been formally rejected. The group will meet again on June 24 to continue whittling down ideas before a scheduled July 1 vote. ..................(more)

http://www.masstransitmag.com/news/11997922/eden-prairie-rail-stations-being-considered-for-cuts