Green Line to open 2027

Construction of the corridor protection wall between Bryn Mawr Station and Glenwood Avenue in Minneapolis continues throughout the winter. Crews are seen preparing to pour concrete panels that form the wall. (Photo courtesy Met Transit)

Posted Thursday, February 3, 2022 6:58 pm

The METRO Green Line Extension recently provided long-sought clarity regarding the anticipated completion of civil construction and opening day. Civil construction is now anticipated to be complete in 2025, and the project is now scheduled to open for service in 2027. In addition to the contingency funds, project leaders estimate needing an additional $450 million to $550 million to finish the project.

“While this news is frustrating for many, we will continue to provide reliable and timely information to make sure the community is informed about ongoing and new construction activities. We will continue to share updates on trail and roadway openings. In addition, we look forward to highlighting and celebrating reaching milestones of significant project elements including LRT stations and bridges this year,” Met Council wrote in an email update.

A number of major elements have been added to this construction phase through change orders since the initial contract:
• Constructing a barrier protection wall between the BNSF freight and LRT tracks, as part of the safety agreement with BNSF
• Changing construction methods to include a secant (retaining) wall for the Kenilworth Tunnel in Minneapolis, due to proximity to and sensitivity of nearby structures
• Adding the construction of the Eden Prairie Town Center station, originally deferred but added back in to meet community priorities

These changes are significant elements that add time, cost, and complexity to the project. project leaders and the contractor have been working to reorder the milestones remaining on the project. This reordering means that the track, stations, and structures phase is anticipated to be completed in 2025, and service would be launched sometime in 2027.

“We learn from each of these unique projects the need to be flexible and responsive, particular to community and funding partners,” said Met Council Chair Charlie Zelle. “In hindsight, we really could have done more to help illustrate and communicate the potential complications that come with a project of this magnitude. While the cost and time needed to finish this project are significant, it’s still more cost-effective than projects in other parts of the country. As we’ve done since this project began 40 years ago, we will work with our project partners to finish this important piece of our system.”

More @ GreenLineExt.org