The following article by Janet Moore was published in the July 2, 2015 issue of the Star Tribune.
Southwest Light-rail Plan Salvaged by Cost-cutting
Panel trims $250 million; cities, county may have to chip in more
Photo by Jim Gehrz, Star Tribune
The Southwest Station in Eden Prairie is popular with commuters who can take advantage of large parking structure and a bicycle parking area.
Two months ago, after the Southwest light-rail line’s budget ballooned to $2 billion, the project appeared deeply troubled, and maybe even dead.
But after a week of feverish negotiations, a new plan was embraced by a Metropolitan Council advisory committee on Wednesday to cut $250 million from the transit project, in part by ending the line at the Southwest station transit hub in Eden Prairie. The project’s cost is now $1.74 billion, and the regional planning body will vote on the new budget July 8.
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