METRO Blue Line Light Rail Transit Extension Final Environmental Impact Statement

The Metropolitan Council proposes to construct and operate the 13-mile extension of the METRO Blue Line approximately 13 miles, starting from its terminus in downtown Minneapolis to the northwest area of the Twin Cities, serving north Minneapolis and the suburbs of Golden Valley, Robbinsdale, Crystal, and Brooklyn Park. In this Final Environmental Impact Statement (Final EIS), the project is defined as the METRO Blue Line Light Rail Transit (BLRT) Extension project. In addition to the proposed light rail alignment, LRT stations, park‐and‐ride lots, and ancillary facilities, including a proposed operations and maintenance facility (OMF), roadway and bicycle/ pedestrian improvements and related freight rail modifications are discussed. This Final EIS includes the project’s Purpose and Need Statement and a description of the alternatives currently and previously considered. The following environmental categories are addressed in this Final EIS, including related methods and regulations, agency coordination (where applicable), anticipated direct long‐term (operating) and short‐term (construction) impacts, indirect impacts and cumulative effects, and committed mitigation measures; freight rail conditions; vehicular traffic; pedestrians and bicyclists; parking; aviation; land use plan compatibility; community facilities/community character and cohesion; displacement of residents and businesses; cultural resources; visual/aesthetics; economic effects; safety and security; utilities; floodplains; wetlands and other aquatic resources; geology, soils, and topography; hazardous materials contamination; noise; vibration; biological environment (wildlife habitat and endangered species); water quality and stormwater; air quality; and energy. This Final EIS also addresses the following: environmental justice compliance; Section 4(f) compliance; finance; evaluation of alternatives; public involvement and agency coordination; and a potential related joint development project.

• Record URL:
  https://www.leg.state.mn.us/docs/2016/other/160758/Appendices.pdf
• Record URL:
  https://www.leg.state.mn.us/docs/2016/other/160758/Report.pdf
• 
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Appendices (2215p.) are a separate document at the provided URL.
• Corporate Authors:

  Federal Transit Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590

  Metropolitan Council of Twin Cities

  390 Robert St. N
  St. Paul, MN  United States  55101

  Minnesota Department of Transportation

  395 John Ireland Boulevard
  St Paul, MN  United States  55155
• Publication Date: 2016-7

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: Appendices; Figures; Glossary; Maps; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 793p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Alternatives analysis; Coordination; Environmental impact statements; Environmental impacts; Environmental justice; Financing; Light rail transit; Line extensions (Rail transit); Rail transit facilities; Regulations
• Identifier Terms: Metro Transit (Minnesota)
• Geographic Terms: Twin Cities Metropolitan Area (Minnesota)
• Subject Areas: Environment; Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01617696
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS, ATRI, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Nov 23 2016 3:55PM