The Blue Line Extension Corridor Management Committee signaled their support for advancing the analysis of the staff-recommended light rail track route and general station locations for the Blue Line Extension LRT Project.
The advisory body of elected officials and nonelected community representatives passed a resolution Sept. 14 in support of the Metropolitan Council and Hennepin County continuing to advance the track route and stations through the federal environmental review process. The route will be further studied through preparation of a document known as the Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement. This further analysis will bring a more detailed understanding of the potential opportunities and impacts of the route through additional engineering, design, community engagement and environmental evaluation.
First introduced at the August Corridor Management Committee meeting, the proposed track route extends the existing METRO Blue Line 13.4 miles northwest from Target Field Station connecting North Minneapolis, Robbinsdale, Crystal and Brooklyn Park, and serving surrounding communities. From north to south, the general route and 12 station locations are:
Brooklyn Park: West Broadway Ave to County Road 81, with stations at Oak Grove Parkway, 93rd Ave N, 85th Ave N, Brooklyn Boulevard and 63rd Ave N.
Crystal: County Road 81 with a station at Bass Lake Road.
Robbinsdale: County Road 81 with stations near 40th Ave N and Lowry Avenue.
Minneapolis: West Broadway Ave in North Minneapolis with a station at Penn Avenue. 21st Ave N between James Ave and Washington Ave, with stations near James Ave, Lyndale Ave, Washington Ave to 10th Ave North with a station near Plymouth Ave., and Oak Lake Ave to 7th St. N, connecting to Target Field Station downtown.