metro Blue Line Extension

METRO Blue Line Extension

Minneapolis & northwestern communities

The METRO Blue Line Extension light rail transit project will extend the existing Blue Line from Target Field Station northwest to Brooklyn Park and connect communities along the way.

METRO Blue Line Extension Announces New Project Director

It is our pleasure to announce Christine Beckwith has been named the Project Director for the METRO Blue Line Extension Project. With more than 20 years of experience in transit and transportation, Beckwith will help guide the future of the Blue Line Extension as it moves towards the start of construction anticipated around 2025.

Beckwith said "I'm thrilled to rejoin the Blue Line team and reconnect with colleagues and stakeholders in the west metro on this important community investment. As I hand over the reins of the Gold Line project, I also look forward to its continued success especially after our last five years of strong east metro partnerships."

Beckwith began her career at the Minnesota Department of Transportation, before accepting a position as the project controls manager on the METRO Green Line which eventually led to her promotion to project director of the project.  She later served as a deputy program director of the METRO Green Line Extension and Blue Line Extension.  For the past four years Beckwith has served as the project director of the METRO Gold Line.

"From her decades of experience in transit and LRT projects, I can't think of a better person to join the Blue Line Extension Project" said Metro Transit Deputy General Manager of Capital Programs Nick Thompson. "I believe she is the right person at the right time to ensure this once-in-a generation investment is truly beneficial to our customers, residents, communities and region."

Beckwith begins her tenure with the Blue Line Extension project this month, following the endorsement of the recommended route by the Metropolitan Council and Hennepin County in late June.

The project had been working with minimal staff as it awaited approval from the Met Council and Hennepin County. Now with the project moving forward with its environmental, design, anti-displacement, and public engagement work staffing on the project is expected to grow.

In the following weeks, as Beckwith gets acquainted to her now role, she will be more visible at project events in the community. We are excited to have her join the team and for you to meet her.

METRO Blue Line Extension Route Recommendation Adopted by Metropolitan Council and Hennepin County Board

June 22, 2022 – The METRO Blue Line Extension officially has a new route after the Hennepin County Board and Metropolitan Council voted to adopt the revised route modification this week. These actions allow project leaders to move forward on this important transit project by continuing environmental, design, engineering, and anti-displacement activities in preparation for the eventual full funding grant agreement application to the Federal Transit Administration.

The Metropolitan Council and Hennepin County Board actions come after more than 18-months of robust community engagement where project staff held hundreds of community meetings, virtual open houses, and thousands of face-to-face community interactions. Feedback received guided decision making through the route selection process. As the project moves into this next phase, project staff will continue to solicit feedback and communicate with the community to ensure the project delivers maximum benefit.

As the project moves forward to the start of construction sometime in 2025, the project anti-displacement efforts will continue. The Anti-displacement Workgroup led by the Metropolitan Council and Hennepin County and facilitated by the University of Minnesota's Center for Urban and Regional Affairs has been meeting to discuss actionable policies to minimize the potential displacement that may occur due to the project.

Interactive map of potential station locations and visualizations

This interactive map has been updated with new information including refined station study areas, route options, and corridor concept drawings. Community members are encouraged to view the updated map and provide input.

Open a larger version of the map and share your feedback. The map is supported in Google Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari browsers.

Interactive map of potential Blue Line Extension station locations and visualizations

About the Blue Line Extension

METRO Blue Line Extension

Blue Line Extension Project Office
Park Place West Building, Suite 500
6465 Wayzata Boulevard
St. Louis Park, MN 55426

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Blue Line Extension