As most people know, there is one light rail line already in use within the Twin Cities. The Hiawatha Line was opened in 200? And stretches between downtown Minneapolis’ warehouse district and the Mall of America in Bloomington. This Light Rail line has been rather successful. The line provided ten million rides in 2008, already exceeding the pre-construction estimate for 2020.
Another light rail line is currently in the final stages of construction. The Northstar Rail will open in late 2009 and will connect Big Lake to Minneapolis while stopping in the cities Fridley, Anoka, Coon Rapids, and Elk River in between. The Northstar Rail will end in Big Lake, for now. Planners hope to open a line extending to St. Cloud in the future.
The Central Corridor, linking Minneapolis and St. Paul, will also see a new light rail line in the near future. The Central Corridor Light Rail is currently in the very beginning of construction and is scheduled to open in 2014.
Light rail and transportation in general is a hot topic in local politics today. With expansion in the eyes of many, the Minnesota legislature and other county commissions are constantly baraded with proposals for new light rail lines.