Golden Valley Metropolitan Council Releases New Alternative Routes For METRO Blue Line Extension

Press release from the City of Golden Valley:

March 11, 2021

The Metropolitan Council has released two alternative routes for the METRO Blue Line Extension, both of which do not run through Golden Valley. The route was originally proposed to connect Brooklyn Park to Minneapolis via the BNSF tracks that run through Golden Valley, but the Met Council and BNSF have not reached an agreement for the use of their right of way (use of the BNSF train tracks).

The City of Golden Valley understands the effort and investment in this project but is committed to advancing transportation opportunities within the region to increase economic opportunities for the community, support job growth, and lead to further private investment.

The City of Golden Valley will continue to be at the table with Hennepin County and the Metropolitan Council to advance the line, and additionally, will continue its work to develop other transit modes, including Bus Rapid Transit along Highway 55.

Meanwhile, METRO Blue Line Extension project leaders want to hear from the community about the new routes, potential station locations, important destinations, and what they want to see from their transit system. Project staff will be performing outreach work in several different ways:

• Virtual town hall meetings are scheduled for Thursday, March 25 and Tuesday, March 30 for community members to learn more, ask questions, and provide feedback on the project.
• A community survey is available on the project website for community members wanting to give feedback on the initial route options by April 30.
• Project staff are available to provide presentations to community and business groups.
• General project comments can be submitted here.
• Follow the project on social media: Facebook and Twitter.

To learn about upcoming community town hall meetings, additional outreach efforts, and to keep informed about upcoming Blue Line Extension project announcements, please visit the project website. Please contact Golden Valley Physical Development Director Marc Nevinski at 763-593-8008 with comments or questions.

This press release was produced by the City of Golden Valley. The views expressed here are the author’s own.