You do not have permission to edit this page, for the following reasons:

This IP address has been blocked from editing Wikipedia.
This does not affect your ability to read Wikipedia pages.
Most people who see this message have done nothing wrong. Some kinds of blocks restrict editing from specific service providers or telecom companies in response to recent abuse or vandalism, and can sometimes affect other users who are unrelated to that abuse. Review the information below for assistance if you do not believe that you have done anything wrong.

The IP address or range 44.201.0.0/16 has been blocked (disabled) by ‪ST47‬ for the following reason(s):

The IP address that you are currently using has been blocked because it is believed to be a web host provider. To prevent abuse, web hosts may be blocked from editing Wikipedia.
You will not be able to edit Wikipedia using a web host provider because it hides your IP address, much like a proxy or VPN.
We recommend that you attempt to use another connection to edit. For example, if you use a proxy or VPN to connect to the internet, turn it off when editing Wikipedia. If you edit using a mobile connection, try using a Wi-Fi connection, and vice versa. If you are using a corporate internet connection, switch to a different Wi-Fi network. If you have a Wikipedia account, please log in.
If you do not have any other way to edit Wikipedia, you will need to request an IP block exemption.

How to appeal if you are confident that your connection does not use a web host's IP address:
If you are confident that you are not using a web host, you may appeal this block by adding the following text on your talk page: ((unblock|reason=Caught by a web host block but this host or IP is not a web host. My IP address is _______. Place any further information here. ~~~~)). You must fill in the blank with your IP address for this block to be investigated. Your IP address can be determined here. Alternatively, if you wish to keep your IP address private you can use the unblock ticket request system. There are several reasons you might be editing using the IP address of a web host (such as if you are using VPN software or a business network); please use this method of appeal only if you think your IP address is in fact not a web host.

Administrators: The IP block exemption user right should only be applied to allow users to edit using web host in exceptional circumstances, and they should usually be directed to the functionaries team via email. If you intend to give the IPBE user right, a CheckUser needs to take a look at the account. This can be requested most easily at SPI Quick Checkuser Requests. Unblocking an IP or IP range with this template is highly discouraged without at least contacting the blocking administrator.

This block will expire on 23:54, 31 July 2024.

Even when blocked, you will usually still be able to edit your user talk page, as well as email administrators and other editors.

For information on how to proceed, please read the FAQ for blocked users and the guideline on block appeals. The guide to appealing blocks may also be helpful.

Other useful links: Blocking policy · Help:I have been blocked
Your IP address is in a range that has been blocked on all Wikimedia Foundation wikis. The block was made by ‪AntiCompositeNumber‬. The reason given is Open proxy/Webhost: Visit the FAQ if you are affected .
- Start of block: 13:55, 18 August 2022
- Expiry of block: 13:55, 18 April 2025
Your current IP address is 44.201.28.123. The blocked range is 44.201.0.0/16. Please include all above details in any queries you make. If you believe you were blocked by mistake, you can find additional information and instructions in the No open proxies global policy. Otherwise, to discuss the block please post a request for review on Meta-Wiki. You could also send an email to the stewards VRT queue at stewards@wikimedia.org including all above details.

You can view and copy the source of this page:

((Short description|Under-construction light rail transit line in Minneapolis))
((Use mdy dates|date=December 2022))
((Infobox rail line
| name                            = Southwest LRT
| color                           = ((rcr|Metro (Minnesota)|Southwest LRT))
| image                           = Southwest LRT logo.png
| image_width                     = 200px
| caption                         = 
| type                            = [[Light rail]]
| system                          = [[Metro Transit (Minnesota)|Metro Transit]]
| status                          = Under construction<ref>((cite web | url=https://metrocouncil.org/News-Events/Transportation/News-Articles/SWLRT-groundbreaking.aspx | title=Federal, state and local officials break ground on Southwest LRT | publisher=Metropolitan Council | date=November 30, 2018 | access-date=December 5, 2018))</ref>
| locale                          = [[Hennepin County, Minnesota]]
| start                           = [[Southwest Station]] (southwest)
| end                             = [[Target Field Station|Target Field]] (northeast)
| stations                        = 16 planned
| routes                          = 
| daily_ridership                 = 34,000 (projection)
| planopen                        = 2027 (estimated)<ref name="DelaysStribJan22" /><ref name="engineeringphase">((cite web | url=https://metrocouncil.org/Transportation/Projects/Current-Projects/Southwest-LRT/News-Display-Page/2016/Federal-Transit-Administration-propels-Southwest-L.aspx | title=Federal Transit Administration Propels Southwest LRT Project Forward With Approval To Enter Engineering | date=December 21, 2016 | access-date=February 13, 2017 | publisher=Metropolitan Council))</ref>
| close                           = 
| owner                           = 
| operator                        = [[Metro Transit (Minnesota)|Metro Transit]]
| character                       = Surface
| stock                           = 
| linelength                      = ((convert|14.5|mi))
| tracklength                     = 
| tracks                          = 
| gauge                           = ((RailGauge|ussg|allk=on))
| electrification                 = [[Overhead lines]]
| speed                           = 
| elevation                       = 
| map                             = ((Southwest Corridor))
))

The '''Southwest LRT''' ([[Metro Green Line (Minnesota)|Metro Green Line]] Extension) is an under–construction ((convert|14.5|mi|adj=on)) [[light rail]] transit corridor in [[Hennepin County, Minnesota]], with service between [[Minneapolis]] and [[Eden Prairie, Minnesota|Eden Prairie]]. The estimated one-way travel time from [[Southwest Station]] in Eden Prairie to [[Target Field Station]] in Minneapolis is 32 minutes.<ref name="TravelTime">((cite web | url=https://metrocouncil.org/getattachment/dc6b9712-865a-4128-9d3d-1a8132ad86e8/C-23_Council-2015m_Travel-Demand-Methodology-and-F.aspx | title=Travel Demand Methodology & Forecast | publisher=Metropolitan Council | date=February 2016 | access-date=December 5, 2018))</ref> The Southwest LRT will extend through [[St. Louis Park, Minnesota|St. Louis Park]], [[Hopkins, Minnesota|Hopkins]] and [[Minnetonka, Minnesota|Minnetonka]] along the route. Major locations on the line will include [[Bde Maka Ska]], [[Cedar Lake (Minneapolis)|Cedar Lake]], the [[Walker Art Center]], the [[Minneapolis Sculpture Garden]] and [[Target Field]] in downtown Minneapolis.

Hennepin County selected the alignment of the route and worked with the [[Metropolitan Council (Minnesota)|Metropolitan Council]] on [[environmental impact statement]]s for the project. The Metropolitan Council is managing construction of the route.<ref>((cite web |title=Light Rail and Commuter Transit - Minnesota Issues Resources Guides |url=https://www.lrl.mn.gov/guides/guides?issue=rail |website=www.lrl.mn.gov |publisher=Minnesota Legislative Reference Library |access-date=June 17, 2022 |date=October 2020))</ref><ref>((cite news |last1=Platt |first1=Adam |title=Difficult questions remain about how the Southwest light rail project will be completed |url=https://www.minnpost.com/twin-cities-business/2022/02/difficult-questions-remain-about-how-the-southwest-light-rail-project-will-be-completed/ |access-date=June 17, 2022 |work=MinnPost |date=February 4, 2022))</ref> On November 15, 2018, the council accepted an $800 million construction bid by Lunda Construction and C.S. McCrossan, with early construction starting in December 2018.<ref name="MPRapprove">((Cite news|url=https://www.mprnews.org/story/2018/11/15/met-council-approves-lunda-mccrossan-800-million-bid-for-light-rail|title=Met Council approves Lunda/McCrossan's $800M bid for light rail project|last=Moylan|first=Martin|date=November 15, 2018|work=MPR News|access-date=November 15, 2018))</ref> The project has had unexpected construction delays, especially at the site of a tunnel near the [[Kenilworth Trail]] corridor. The delays have increased the cost of the project to up to about $2.7 billion and pushed back the expected opening date from 2023 to 2027, resulting in criticism of the Metropolitan Council.<ref name="DelaysStribJan22">((cite news |last1=Moore |first1=Janet |title=Southwest LRT now expected to cost up to $2.75B, open in 2027 |url=https://www.startribune.com/southwest-lrt-now-expected-to-cost-up-to-2-75b-open-in-2027/600139933/ |access-date=January 29, 2022 |work=Star Tribune |date=January 26, 2022))</ref><ref name = "OLAstrib">((cite web | url=https://www.startribune.com/legislative-auditor-met-council-wasnt-transparent-about-cost-overruns-delays-with-southwest-lrt/600259058/ | title=Met Council wasn't transparent about Southwest light rail cost overruns, delays, legislative auditor says | website=[[Star Tribune]] | date=March 15, 2023 ))</ref> The Southwest LRT is the most expensive public works project in Minnesota history.<ref>((cite news |last1=Moore |first1=Janet |title=New underground 'impediment' discovered during Southwest LRT construction |url=https://startribune.com/new-underground-impediment-discovered-during-southwest-lrt-construction/600252236/|access-date=February 17, 2023 |work=Star Tribune))</ref>

== Current route ==
The line begins at the Southwest Transit Station in Eden Prairie, passing Eden Prairie's Town Center and crosses [[U.S. Route 212|US 212]] and [[Interstate 494|I-494]]. It goes into the Golden Triangle, under [[Minnesota State Highway 62 (Hennepin–Dakota counties)|MN 62]], and into Opus. It crosses into Minnetonka on a bridge, and enters the railroad corridor. It turns east into Hopkins, and passes under [[U.S. Route 169 in Minnesota|US 169]]. It goes east, and has four more stations before entering Minneapolis. It turns north, and enters a tunnel. Upon exiting the tunnel, it has 3 stations, and passes under [[Interstate 394|I-394]] and [[Interstate 94 in Minnesota|I-94]]. It leaves the railroad, enters Royalston, and terminates at [[Target Field]].<ref>((cite web |url=https://metrocouncil.org/Transportation/Projects/Light-Rail-Projects/METRO-Green-Line-Extension/Route-Stations.aspx |title=Route and Stations |author=<!--Not stated--> |date= |website= |publisher=Metropolitan Council |access-date=January 28, 2023))</ref>

==History==
In 1988, the Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority (HCRRA) identified the Southwest transitway from [[Hopkins, MN|Hopkins]] to downtown Minneapolis as a future LRT corridor.<ref name="AAFRch1">((cite web
  | url        = http://www.southwesttransitway.org/technical-documents/doc_download/16-chapter-1-intro.html
  | title      = Southwest Transitway Alternatives Analysis Final Report (Chapter 1 – Intro)
  | access-date = October 28, 2009
  | author     = Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority
))</ref>

In 2002 and 2003, the HCRRA conducted the Southwest Rail Transit Study to evaluate twelve possible light rail routes in the southwest transitway. Of the twelve routes, eight were eliminated and four were selected for further analysis: routes 1A, 2A, 3A and 4A.<ref name="AAFRch1"/>

On March 4, 2009, the FTA approved a $2 million study of the project, with a then-anticipated opening date in 2015.<ref name="march09-fta">((cite news|url=http://www.startribune.com/local/west/16241142.html|title=Transit Agency to Study Rail Plan|first=Laurie|last=Blake|date=March 5, 2009|newspaper=StarTribune|access-date=December 17, 2009))</ref> On May 26, 2010, the Metropolitan Council voted to approve the locally preferred alternative advanced by [[Hennepin County, MN|Hennepin County]]. The project at that point transferred to Metropolitan Council control and at the time was expected to begin service in 2018.<ref name="timelineMTC">((cite web|url=http://www.metrocouncil.org/transportation/SW/SWTimeline.htm|title=Southwest LRT Timeline |year=2012|work=Southwest Transitway|publisher=Metropolitan Council|access-date=September 4, 2012))</ref> Since receiving approval from the Metropolitan Council on May 26, 2010, the Southwest LRT joins the [[Bottineau LRT]] as an official part of the [[Metropolitan Council (Minnesota)|Metro Council's]] project list. The Metropolitan Council began design work in 2013, after the completion of the draft Environmental Impact Statement.<ref name="april 2015"/>

===Route debate===
((More citations needed|section|date=November 2018))
On May 26, 2010, the Metropolitan Council approved route 3A as the locally preferred alternative for the line. There was a protracted debate over the route choice in the years leading up to this decision, with many parties strongly opposed to the final route choice. The final choice in favor of 3A was made for several reasons, including its favorable Cost Effectiveness Index (CEI) score and its relatively lower environmental impacts.<ref name="may10-metcouncil">((cite web|url=http://www.metrocouncil.org/news/2010/news_680.htm|title=Council Approves Light Rail Along the Southwest Corridor|date=May 26, 2010|publisher=Metropolitan Council|access-date=June 30, 2010))</ref>

Several possible routing variations were evaluated to determine the final routing of the line. There was local debate about the route the line would take between the [[Chain of Lakes (Minneapolis)|Chain of Lakes]] and downtown Minneapolis. Routes 1A and 3A (chosen route) use the Kenilworth Corridor, a dedicated stretch of right-of-way owned by the HCRRA to be used for future rail transit. Route 3C would have the tracks run much further east through the trench used by the [[Midtown Greenway]] before turning north at [[Nicollet Avenue]], where it would have run in a tunnel for part of the way downtown.

====Kenilworth alignment (routes 1A, 3A-chosen route)====
The Kenilworth Corridor was acquired by the HCRRA to preserve it for future rail transit. The Kenilworth routing would have provided shorter ride times for the majority of the line's users compared to the 3C routing. It is also less expensive to build and operate.((Citation needed|date=November 2018))

Supporters of a network alignment propose that a streetcar or trolley line be installed alongside the [[Midtown Greenway]] to connect the Southwest LRT line to the existing [[Blue Line (Minnesota)|Blue Line]]; however, this will not occur. Rather LRT will be used for the full stretch of the line. The Midtown Greenway Coalition has long supported and promoted the network alignment. The group successfully prevented the trench from being used for a busway and instead pitched the idea of the trench being used for a potential streetcar line.

Some residents living adjacent to the Kenilworth Corridor favored the 3C route because they were concerned about the noise and disturbance of the trains passing through the corridor near their homes. The Kenilworth Corridor presently contains an active freight rail line and the light rail will be in addition to this existing track. Operating the two LRT tracks adjacent to the Twin Cities & Western Railroad line (four freight trains each day) will require Metro Transit to purchase a standard $300 Million insurance policy holding the railroad harmless for any accidents caused by derailments of freight or LRT trains. The annual premium cost of this policy is approximately $1.5 Million.

====Greenway/Nicollet alignment (route 3C)====
Advocates of the 3C route wanted the line to directly serve [[Uptown, Minneapolis|Uptown]] and [[Eat Street]], and feel that routing the line through the Kenilworth Corridor would be a missed opportunity for increased ridership and better transit in this area of Minneapolis.

Some [[Eat Street]] business owners were concerned that the access and traffic problems resulting from the construction period on Nicollet Avenue would severely affect their business. Engineers indicated Nicollet Avenue may have been tunneled instead of at-grade.

In early 2008, [[Hennepin County Medical Center]] acquired a city block parcel at 28th Street and Nicollet where the 3C Route would turn from the Midtown Greenway trench onto or under Nicollet Avenue.<ref name="HCMC">((cite news | url=http://www.swjournal.com/index.php?publication=southwest&story=11491&page=152&category=63 | title=HCMC Clinic on the move | date=May 5, 2008 | author=Dylan Thomas | newspaper=Southwest Journal | access-date=May 7, 2008))</ref> HCMC is building a clinic on the site that does not incorporate a light rail station or easement into the building. That would have prevented the 3C route from turning at this location since there is not enough space for tracks to make the minimum required turning radius.

====Neighborhood positions====
During public input phases in 2007–2008 the final three proposed routes faced opposition by some members of two [[Minneapolis, Minnesota|Minneapolis]] neighborhoods, [[Kenwood, Minneapolis|Kenwood]] and [[Whittier, Minneapolis|Whittier]]. Kenwood's neighborhood organization released an official neighborhood stance against the line with Whittier's organization debating to release a stance. In Kenwood, one of the wealthiest neighborhoods, their criticism involves disruption to natural parkland and noise though the Kenilworth Corridor (which routes '1A' and '3A' would run on). The corridor is home to the [[Kenilworth Trail]], a scenic bike and pedestrian trail that runs adjacent to a rarely used freight rail line.<ref>((cite news | url=http://www.kenwoodminneapolis.org/pages/news.htm | title=Kenwood Newsletter | author=Kenwood Isles Area Association |date=March 2007)) ((Dead link|date=January 2023))</ref> In Whittier, disruption to Nicollet Avenue by the '3C' route had brought concern to business owners regarding Eat Street as a business, restaurant and retail corridor of the [[Whittier, Minneapolis|Whittier]] neighborhood.<ref>((cite web | url=http://www.whittieralliance.org/minutes.html | title=Whittier Alliance, Community Meeting Minutes | date=2007–2008 | author=Eric James | publisher=Whittier Alliance))</ref>

The [[Bryn Mawr, Minneapolis|Bryn Mawr]] neighborhood has favored the routes moving through the Kenilworth Corridor as it supports their redevelopment plans. Also, suburban cities have received the proposals favorably with concern over routing within their cities than opposition of the line itself. The 3A route through job centers in [[Eden Prairie, Minnesota|Eden Prairie]] garnered approval from its City Council. [[Hopkins, Minnesota|Hopkins]] also proposed routing the line through their downtown Main Street, but it will instead be routed nearby.<ref>((cite news | url=http://www.individual.com/story.php?story=76335639 | title= Dreams sprout along southwest rail route | newspaper=Star Tribune | date=January 17, 2008 | author=Jenna Ross))</ref>

==Funding and delays==
In April 2015, the council released an updated analysis of the project, with projected costs raised by more than $300 million to $1.994 billion, largely as a result of additional sitework and ground preparation due to poor soil along the route.<ref name="april 2015"/> The expected opening date of the line was also pushed back to 2020, as a result of delays to the next draft of the Environmental Impact Statement, which was expected to be released in May 2015, more than a year after the original planned release in January 2014.<ref name="april 2015">((cite magazine | url=http://trn.trains.com/news/news-wire/2015/04/delays-increase-costs-for-twin-cities-light-rail-project | title=Delays increase costs for Twin Cities light rail project | magazine=Trains Magazine | date=April 28, 2015 | access-date=April 29, 2015))</ref> To bring costs within the original budget, Metropolitan Council members proposed measures such as eliminating the Mitchell Road station in Eden Prairie or decreasing the size of the Hopkins maintenance facility.<ref>((cite news|last1=Moore|first1=Janet|title=Transit board and others urge restraint in Southwest light-rail price tag|url=http://www.startribune.com/transit-board-urges-restraint-in-southwest-light-rail-price-tag/302788361/|access-date=May 10, 2015|work=Minneapolis Star-Tribune|date=May 7, 2015))</ref>

A reduced $1.744 billion budget for the line was approved by the Metropolitan Council in July 2015. Changes from the original plan included the deletion of the Mitchell Road terminus, removal of planned station art, and the deferral of the Eden Prairie Town Center station.<ref>((cite news|last1=Callaghan|first1=Peter|title=Met Council approves revamped Southwest LRT funding plan|url=https://www.minnpost.com/politics-policy/2015/07/met-council-approves-revamped-southwest-lrt-funding-plan|access-date=July 13, 2015|work=MinnPost|date=July 9, 2015))</ref>

On May 22, 2016, the Minnesota Legislature was unable to agree on whether or not to fund the State of Minnesota's 10% portion of the project.  On August 31, 2016, the State's 10% portion ($144.5 million) was funded by Certificates of Participation by three government bodies: the Metropolitan Council ($103.5 million),the [[Counties Transit Improvement Board]] ($20.5 million) and Hennepin County ($20.5 million) to close the $144.5 million gap.
<ref>((cite news |last=Dexter |first=Patty |date=September 7, 2016 |title=Boards OK plans to fill Southwest LRT funding gap |url=http://www.swnewsmedia.com/lakeshore_weekly/news/local/boards-ok-plans-to-fill-southwest-lrt-funding-gap/article_b6e00c23-a2ec-5f8f-99eb-1d271bfe91ab.html |newspaper=Lakeshore Weekly News |location=Wayzata, MN |access-date=September 14, 2016))</ref>

On February 15, 2017, the Metropolitan Council announced that the Southwest LRT design and engineering phase would be complete at the end of 2017.<ref>((Cite web|url=https://metrocouncil.org/Transportation/Projects/Current-Projects/Southwest-LRT.aspx|title=Southwest LRT Current Projects|last=Metropolitan Council|website=Metropolitan Council|access-date=April 16, 2017))</ref> 
As of late February 2022 work at the Kenilworth tunnel had been stopped since January that year due to damage to a neighboring condominium.<ref>((cite web | url=https://www.fox9.com/news/one-continuous-problem-swlrt-construction-causes-cracking-flooding-at-nearby-condo-building | title='One continuous problem': SWLRT construction causes cracking, flooding at nearby condo building | date=February 21, 2022 ))</ref><ref>((cite web | url=https://kstp.com/kstp-news/top-news/condo-flood-swlrt/ | title=Minneapolis condo parking garage flooded, association blames SWLRT construction | date=February 21, 2022 ))</ref> In mid-April 2022, after inspecting the damage to the condo, engineers cleared the tunnel work to resume.<ref>((cite web | url=https://kstp.com/kstp-news/top-news/engineers-give-go-ahead-to-resume-light-rail-construction-near-damaged-condos/ | title=Engineers give go-ahead to resume light rail construction near damaged condos | date=April 12, 2022 ))</ref> In March 2023, however, condominium owners at the affected building reported that damage related to light rail construction was worsening, to which the Metropolitan Council replied that the condo owners association had not filed any claims related to new damage.<ref>((cite web | url=https://kstp.com/kstp-news/top-news/condo-owners-report-worsening-damage-along-pinch-point-for-light-rail-construction/ | title=Condo owners report worsening damage along 'pinch point' for light rail construction | date=March 15, 2023))</ref>

In March 2023, the Minnesota Office of the Legislative Auditor reported that in planning construction for the Southwest LRT, the Metropolitan Council obligated funds that it did not have and failed to develop a contingency plan if the required project funding did not materialize. The Metropolitan Council had solicited bids for civil construction with project specifications it knew to be incomplete. After bidding was completed, the Metropolitan Council's addition of substantial new or changed work resulted in delays and increased costs. Legislative Auditor Judy Randall noted that the Metropolitan Council was less cooperative than most state agencies they audited, and criticized their lack of transparency in communicating problems related to the Southwest LRT to the public.<ref name="OLAstrib"/><ref>((cite web | url=https://www.auditor.leg.state.mn.us/ped/pedrep/swlrtcd.pdf | title=Southwest Light Rail Transit Construction: Metropolitan Council Decision Making | date=March 15, 2023 ))</ref>

==Construction==
[[File:19 Southwest Station in Eden Prairie.jpg|thumb|right|Work underway in 2019 on the SouthWest station, part of the extended Green Line to Eden Prairie|alt=On an overcast day, two cranes and several other construction vehicles work in a mostly empty worksite between some one-story buildings, a road, and a lake.]]
[[File:Southwest LRT construction from Royalston Ave towards Cedar Lake Trail and Glenwood Avenue - August 2022.jpg|thumb|Southwest LRT construction from Royalston Ave towards Cedar Lake Trail and Glenwood Avenue - August 2022]]
Construction bids were revealed publicly on August 15, 2017<ref>((Cite news|url=https://www.mprnews.org/story/2017/08/16/southwest-light-rail-project-moves-closer-to-big-construction-contract|title=Southwest light rail project moves closer to a big construction contract|last=Sepic|first=Matt|date=August 16, 2017|work=MPR News|access-date=August 16, 2017))</ref> but were rejected for being too costly and non-responsive (Bids did not meet the requirements).<ref>((Cite web|url=https://www.mprnews.org/story/2017/09/11/southwest-light-rail-met-council-rejects-bids|title=Met Council rejects all Southwest light rail bids as too costly|last=Nelson|first=Tim|date=September 11, 2017|website=MPR News))</ref> As of May 2018, the Metropolitan Council estimated the building costs to be at $2.003 billion.<ref name=":0">((Cite web|url=https://www.mprnews.org/story/2018/05/16/southwest-light-rail-minnesota-2-billion-cost|title=Building costs push Southwest light rail price tag above $2 billion|last=Nelson|first=Tim|date=May 16, 2018|website=MPR News))</ref> On November 15, 2018, the Council accepted an $800 million construction bid for a section of the construction by Lunda Construction and C.S. McCrossan.<ref name="MPRapprove"/>

Construction of the line is the State of Minnesota's largest public works project currently underway, and is happening in all five cities that the line is served by. The project is known to disrupt major trails such as the [[Cedar Lake LRT Regional Trail]], and the [[Kenilworth Trail]].<ref name="STapprove">((cite news | url=http://www.startribune.com/hennepin-county-votes-to-spend-up-to-435-million-on-southwest-light-rail/500619421/ | newspaper=Star Tribune | title=Metropolitan Council picks contractor to build $2 billion Southwest light rail | date=November 16, 2018 | access-date=November 26, 2018 | author=Moore, Janet))</ref> The line was expected to be completed in 2023, but unexpected poor soils in the Kenilworth Corridor have delayed the opening.<ref>((Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Metro Council|url=https://metrocouncil.org/Transportation/Projects/Light-Rail-Projects/Southwest-LRT.aspx|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=December 11, 2020|website=))</ref><ref name="soil delay">((cite news |title=Soil issue in Kenilworth corridor to delay Southwest LRT, 2023 opening |url=https://www.hometownsource.com/sun_sailor/free/soil-issue-in-kenilworth-corridor-to-delay-southwest-lrt-2023-opening/article_990f92d8-568a-11eb-8e73-6f6ddb033266.html |access-date=January 14, 2021 |work=Sun Sailor |publisher=Hometown Source |date=January 14, 2021 |language=en))</ref> In July 2021 the Metropolitan Council did not have a date when the line will be completed or how delays will affect project cost. In a private call with government stakeholders, the Metropolitan Council expected a delay of at least two years, pushing a late 2025 opening at the earliest.<ref name="Rocky Mess">((cite news |last1=Platt |first1=Adam |title=Southwest LRT's Rocky Mess |url=https://tcbmag.com/southwest-lrts-rocky-mess/ |access-date=July 15, 2021 |work=Twin Cities Business |date=July 15, 2021))</ref> Construction contractors will use alternate construction methods for the portion with poor soils.<ref name="opening delay">((cite news |last1=Moore |first1=Janet |title=Opening of Southwest light rail delayed due to construction challenges |url=https://www.startribune.com/opening-of-southwest-light-rail-delayed-due-to-construction-challenges/600010482/ |access-date=January 14, 2021 |work=Star Tribune |date=January 14, 2021))</ref> In January 2022 Metropolitan Council officials changed the expected opening to 2027 with increased costs between $450 and $550 million expected.<ref name="DelaysStribJan22"/>

Initial construction began in late 2018 with brush removal, and heavy construction of the line began in 2019. The project reached its ((percentage|25)) completion milestone in August 2020 and a ((percentage|50)) completion in July 2021.<ref name="left for dead">((cite news |last1=Callaghan |first1=Peter |title=Southwest light rail, a project left for dead (more than once), is 25 percent complete |url=https://www.minnpost.com/metro/2020/08/southwest-light-rail-a-project-left-for-dead-more-than-once-is-25-percent-complete/ |access-date=July 16, 2021 |work=MinnPost |date=August 26, 2020))</ref><ref name="Rocky Mess" /> 

==Rolling stock==
[[File:Metro Transit Type III LRV interior.jpg|thumb|Metro Transit Type III LRV interior]]
In 2016, the Metropolitan Council reserved $118 million to Siemens to build a fleet of 27 vehicles for the Southwest LRT.<ref>((Cite web|url=http://finance-commerce.com/2016/10/siemens-gets-118m-contract-for-southwest-lrt-vehicles/|title=Siemens lands $118M contract for Southwest LRT|date=October 27, 2016 ))</ref> An order for these 27 [[Siemens S700 and S70|Siemens S700]] vehicles was placed in October 2016,<ref>((cite news |title=Twin Cities' Metropolitan Council Chooses Siemens to Provide New Light Rail Vehicles |url=https://www.masstransitmag.com/rail/press-release/12274233/siemens-mobility-division-twin-cities-metropolitan-council-chooses-siemens-to-provide-new-light-rail-vehicles-for-southwest-expansion |access-date=November 14, 2020 |work=Mass Transit |date=October 28, 2016))</ref> 

These used a modified center-[[bogie (rail)|truck]] design that allowed sideways-facing seating in the center section,<ref>((cite web |title=Southwest LRT Project Update |url=https://metrocouncil.org/Council-Meetings/Committees/Metropolitan-Council/2020/05-13-20/SWLRT-update-PPT.aspx |publisher=[[Metropolitan Council (Minnesota)|Metropolitan Council]] |access-date=2020-11-14 |page=6 |date=May 13, 2020))</ref> for better passenger flow.<ref name="taut-2020sep"/> In 2018, Siemens adopted a new model number, [[Siemens S700 and S70|S700]], for S70 LRVs that used the new center-section design, and in 2020 it retroactively applied the new designation to all previous S70 LRVs built to the new design; as a result, all of Metro Transit's type III LRVs (301–327) are now Siemens model S700.<ref name="taut-2020sep">((cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Siemens rebadges North American low-floor cars |date=September 2020 |magazine=[[Tramways & Urban Transit]] |page=336 |publisher=Mainspring Enterprises Ltd. |location=UK |number=993 |issn=1460-8324 ))</ref><ref name="taut-2020oct">((cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Worldwide Review [regular news section] |date=October 2020 |magazine=[[Tramways & Urban Transit]] |page=402 |publisher=Mainspring Enterprises Ltd. |location=UK |number=994 |issn=1460-8324 ))</ref> The first two of 27 [[Siemens S700]] light rail vehicles [[Metro Transit rolling stock#Type III LRVs|ordered for the project]] were delivered to Metro Transit on May 21, 2020.<ref name="ptj2020-3">((cite news|last=McKinney |first=Kevin |title=Rush Hour [transit news section] |magazine=[[Passenger Train Journal]] |date=2020 |volume=44 |issue=3 – Third quarter 2020 |page=52 |publisher=White River Productions, Inc. |issn=0160-6913 ))</ref><ref>((cite news |last1=Moore |first1=Janet |title=New Southwest light-rail train cars arrive |url=https://www.startribune.com/new-southwest-lrt-train-cars-arrive-for-service-starting-in-2023/570697942/ |access-date=July 16, 2021 |work=Star Tribune |date=May 22, 2020))</ref>

==References==
((reflist))

==External links==
((Attached KML |display=title,inline))
* [http://www.swlrtcommunityworks.org/ Southwest LRT Community Works]
* [http://www.swlrtcommunityworks.org/map Southwest light rail map]
* [http://www.metrocouncil.org/Transportation/Projects/Current-Projects/Southwest-LRT.aspx Metropolitan Council project website]
* [http://www.metrocouncil.org/Transportation/Projects/Current-Projects/Southwest-LRT/Route.aspx Locally Preferred Alternative]

((Twin Cities Transit))

[[Category:Proposed railway lines in Minnesota]]
[[Category:Light rail in Minnesota]]
[[Category:Transportation in Minnesota]]
[[Category:Transportation in Minneapolis]]
[[Category:Tram and light rail transit systems under construction]]
[[Category:2027 in rail transport]]
[[Category:Metro Transit (Minnesota)]]

Pages transcluded onto the current version of this page (help):

Southwest LRT (edit)
Template:Ambox (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Attached KML (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Attached KML/Southwest LRT (edit)
Template:BSsplit (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Both (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Category handler (view source) (protected)
Template:Citation needed (view source) (protected)
Template:Cite magazine (view source) (protected)
Template:Cite news (view source) (protected)
Template:Cite web (view source) (protected)
Template:Convert (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Convinfobox (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Convinfobox/2 (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:DMCA (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Dated maintenance category (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Dated maintenance category (articles) (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Dead link (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Delink (view source) (protected)
Template:FULLROOTPAGENAME (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Find sources mainspace (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Fix (view source) (protected)
Template:Fix/category (view source) (protected)
Template:Fraction/styles.css (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Hlist/styles.css (view source) (protected)
Template:If (view source) (protected)
Template:Infobox rail line (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Jctrdt (view source) (extended confirmed protected)
Template:Line link (view source) (extended confirmed protected)
Template:Lnl (view source) (extended confirmed protected)
Template:Main other (view source) (protected)
Template:More citations needed (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Navbox (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Nowrap (view source) (protected)
Template:Ns has subpages (view source) (protected)
Template:P2 (view source) (protected)
Template:Pagetype (view source) (protected)
Template:Percentage (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Plainlist/styles.css (view source) (protected)
Template:Rail-interchange (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:RailGauge (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Rail color (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Rail color box (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Rcb (view source) (extended confirmed protected)
Template:Rcr (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Reflist (view source) (protected)
Template:Reflist/styles.css (view source) (protected)
Template:Rint (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Routemap (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Routemap/styles.css (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:SDcat (view source) (protected)
Template:Short description (view source) (protected)
Template:Short description/lowercasecheck (view source) (protected)
Template:Small (view source) (protected)
Template:Southwest Corridor (edit)
Template:Southwest LRT (edit)
Template:Sp (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Station (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Station link (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Stl (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Stn (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Track gauge (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Twin Cities Transit (edit)
Template:Unbulleted list (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Use mdy dates (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Adjacent stations (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Adjacent stations/Amtrak (view source) (extended confirmed protected)
Module:Adjacent stations/Metro (Minnesota) (edit)
Module:Adjacent stations/i18n (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Arguments (view source) (protected)
Module:Attached KML (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Attached KML/styles.css (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Category handler (view source) (protected)
Module:Category handler/blacklist (view source) (protected)
Module:Category handler/config (view source) (protected)
Module:Category handler/data (view source) (protected)
Module:Category handler/shared (view source) (protected)
Module:Check for unknown parameters (view source) (protected)
Module:Citation/CS1 (view source) (protected)
Module:Citation/CS1/COinS (view source) (protected)
Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration (view source) (protected)
Module:Citation/CS1/Date validation (view source) (protected)
Module:Citation/CS1/Identifiers (view source) (protected)
Module:Citation/CS1/Utilities (view source) (protected)
Module:Citation/CS1/Whitelist (view source) (protected)
Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css (view source) (protected)
Module:Color contrast (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Color contrast/colors (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Convert (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Convert/data (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Convert/text (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Delink (view source) (protected)
Module:Disambiguation/templates (view source) (protected)
Module:Find sources (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Find sources/config (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Find sources/links (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Find sources/templates/Find sources mainspace (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Infobox (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Infobox/styles.css (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:InfoboxImage (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Jctrdt (view source) (extended confirmed protected)
Module:List (view source) (protected)
Module:Math (view source) (protected)
Module:Message box (view source) (protected)
Module:Message box/ambox.css (view source) (protected)
Module:Message box/configuration (view source) (protected)
Module:Namespace detect/config (view source) (protected)
Module:Namespace detect/data (view source) (protected)
Module:Navbar (view source) (protected)
Module:Navbar/configuration (view source) (protected)
Module:Navbar/styles.css (view source) (protected)
Module:Navbox (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Navbox/configuration (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Navbox/styles.css (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Ns has subpages (view source) (protected)
Module:Pagetype (view source) (protected)
Module:Pagetype/config (view source) (protected)
Module:Pagetype/disambiguation (view source) (protected)
Module:Pagetype/setindex (view source) (protected)
Module:Pagetype/softredirect (view source) (protected)
Module:Percentage (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Road data/countrymask (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Road data/parser (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Road data/parser/hooks (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Road data/strings/USA (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Road data/strings/USA/MN (view source) (semi-protected)
Module:Road data/strings/USA/regional/GRR (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Road data/strings/USA/regional/NER (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Road data/strings/USA/regional/Tour (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Road data/strings/USA/regional/Trails (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Road data/util (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Routemap (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:SDcat (view source) (protected)
Module:Side box (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Side box/styles.css (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Sortkey (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:String (view source) (protected)
Module:TableTools (view source) (protected)
Module:Track gauge (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Track gauge/data (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Unsubst (view source) (protected)
Module:Wikitext Parsing (view source) (protected)
Module:Yesno (view source) (protected)

Return to Southwest LRT.

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southwest_LRT"