Twin Cities: Southwest Corridor light-rail route gets green light

Southwest Corridor light-rail route gets green light
Article by: PAT DOYLE , Star Tribune Updated: April 9, 2014 - 11:18 PM

Despite Met Council vote, Minneapolis remains opposed and could slow or kill the project.

(Star-Tribune) The Twin Cities’ biggest transit project passed a major milestone Wednesday with the approval of a $1.68 billion design that emerged from years of planning and quarreling.

The Southwest Corridor light-rail line now faces a showdown with Minneapolis that will likely decide its fate.

The Metropolitan Council, the agency in charge of the project, voted 14-2 in favor of a plan to hide the light-rail line in twin tunnels through the Kenilworth corridor of Minneapolis, despite complaints that it will disrupt and transform the neighborhood.

“This is really about building a project for the next century,” Metropolitan Council Chairwoman Susan Haigh said. ................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.startribune.com/local/west/254566841.html