Renovation of a transportation facility in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Completed plans call for the renovation of a transportation facility.

https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/metro-transit-blue-line-light-rail-extension-budget-revision/ Minnesota lawmakers are now calling for Metro Transit to scrap its plans to expand the light rail, more than half a decade into the project. Right now, the Blue Line runs between Mall of America and Target Field. The proposed extension would continue that light rail line north to Brooklyn Park. In a new report requested by state lawmakers, Metro Transit said it underbudgeted by about $336 million for the project, which already carried a $3.2 billion price tag. The project is already years in and slated to enter its construction phase next year. House Transportation Chair Jon Koznick, a Republican from Lakeville, now says he wants to scrap the plan entirely in favor of expanding bus routes. Bus transit would, in theory, save a lot of money — it's about a quarter of the annual cost and significantly less in yearly maintenance costs. Metro Transit said it's not that simple and would take essentially starting from scratch, wasting the hundreds of millions they've already spent developing the light rail plan. It would also put already secured federal funding in jeopardy. Koznick said he's confident buses would not only serve the same job, but cost less in the process. "We weren't surprised, but we were — it is shocking to outsiders, and it should be shocking to Hennepin County commissioners, that there's one option of $3.6 billion, compare that to $120 million for an arterial busline that basically serves the same corridor, it's a different mode," Koznick said. The report said switching from the light rail project to expanded bus routes would delay construction until 2030 at the earliest. Koznick said he's not certain the light rail project couldn't be delayed that long, too. In a statement to WCCO, Hennepin County officials said in part the extension "will connect tens of thousands of residents who rely on transit to get to work, go to school and access healthcare. It will drive economic investment and new housing construction that will decrease property taxes for residents. It will create thousands of good paying jobs for Minnesotans." Terri Dresen, communications director for the Metropolitan Council, told WCCO Wednesday the budget increase is due in part to "improvements requested through our community engagement and municipal consent process where cities and counties can request changes as part of the approval process." Those approved requests include additional stations at Washington Avenue and West Broadway in Minneapolis, a significant redesign of the Lowry Avenue Station and improving North Loop road connectivity. Dresen says the budget "also includes a 32% contingency fund to account for ongoing economic volatility and uncertainty, including an increase required by the Federal Transit Administration following its risk assessment of project risks." She says between August 2014 and this April, $292 million has been spent on the project, and about $752 million is "expected to come from federal funding." Dresen says that amount "is eligible for reimbursement as project costs incurred." ---------------------------------- The project consists of the renovation of the METRO Transit Blue Line Lake Street/Midtown Station, located at 2310 East Lake Street in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The scope of work includes a major renovation of the Blue Line aerial station, the addition of new, interior operations spaces at the ground level, and a new, accessible, exterior pedestrian ramp connecting street level to the platform. The renovation involves removing the existing partial canopy and attached overhead catenary system, platform shelters, elevators, escalators, and stair enclosures; reconstructing a new canopy, reinstalling the overhead catenary system, platform amenities, new elevators, and new, widened outdoor staircases; and all associated civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, systems, temporary traffic work, associated testing, and certification. Firms identified by the Consultant (Prime) that worked on the design of this project are not allowed to work as a contractor or subcontractor on the construction project. If a bidder includes any of these firms in its bid, the bidder will be found non-responsive and rejected from the process. Bidders are strongly encouraged to verify subcontractors' State and Federal debarment and suspension status. Bids must be submitted electronically through QuestCDN.com, and bidders must be a registered Plan Holder on QuestCDN to submit a bid. Complete digital project documents are available through QuestCDN. Bidders are strongly encouraged to attend a pre-bid meeting. Only electronic bid packages will be accepted. Questions due 05/29/2026 The construction project is a renovation of the METRO Transit Blue Line Lake Street/Midtown Station, located at 2310 East Lake Street, just west of Highway 55 (Hiawatha Avenue) in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The station serves METRO Blue Line Light Rail Transit on an aerial platform. The work of this project includes a major renovation of the Blue Line aerial station, the addition of new, interior operations spaces at the ground level, and the addition of a new, accessible, exterior pedestrian ramp connecting the street level to the platform. The renovation scope includes removing the existing partial canopy and attached overhead catenary system, platform shelters, elevators, escalators, and stair enclosures; reconstructing a new canopy, reinstalling the overhead catenary system, platform amenities, new elevators, and new, widened outdoor staircases; and all associated civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, systems, temporary traffic work, associated testing, and certification to support the project.