Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Madeleine Baran
St. Paul, Minn.

County selects route for Eden Prairie light rail line

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

A light rail route that bypasses uptown Minneapolis received approval Tuesday from the Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority.

The county-run planning group voted unanimously to recommend Route 3A to the Metropolitan Council for inclusion in its 2030 Transportation Plan. The group had examined three route options as part of the Southwest Light Rail Transit Project.

The final decision rests both with the Federal Transit Administration, who will determine whether the program meets funding criteria, and the Met Council, who will vote to approve the final plan.

The recommended route starts in Eden Prairie and runs east to Eden Prairie Town Center. The rail line then moves north through Hopkins and St. Louis Park before reaching Minneapolis.

The line heads northeast, passing between Cedar Lake and Lake of the Isles, before connecting with the Northstar Commuter Rail near downtown Minneapolis.

Another proposed route would have gone through uptown Minneapolis, running close to Lake Street, and stopping at Hennepin and Lyndale Avenues.

"This was an open process, with rigorous debate worthy of a project of this magnitude," said Hennepin County Commissioner Gail Dorfman in a statement. "After extensive discussion with the community and our partners, we have come to a consensus, and I am excited to move forward."

The Southwest Light Rail Transit Project recently received $5 million in state bonding allocated by the Met Council for transit improvements. The bonding funds will be used for preliminary engineering and environmental work, according to the statement.