Southwest LRT cleared another “impediment” at the Kenilworth tunnel on March 2, and construction continues unabated on the rest of the corridor.
The Kenilworth Channel will be closed at least through spring, and Cedar Lake Parkway will likely be closed through 2023 and into 2024. Announcements about these and other construction issues will be made through a weekly email; sign up at www.greenlineext.org.
Expect to see the road leading to Cedar Lake East Beach closed to vehicles this spring and summer. The intersection of 21st Street and Thomas Ave/22nd Street will undergo a big dig to install light rail tracks and for work on utilities. It’s not clear at this time how any potential freight rail safety issue will be addressed during this construction.
Residents who live on Upton Ave. across from Cedar Lake Park will be able to drive to their homes on a temporary access road, which will presumably be wide enough for emergency vehicles. Pedestrians will also use a temporary path to get to the beach, woods and trails. According to David Davies of the Southwest LRT Project Office, a community meeting is being planned for mid-March to discuss this upcoming work. The Kenwood Neighborhood Organization will share details through emails and social media.
Near the entrance to Cedar Lake Park on Upton Ave., two structures will be built: a freight crossing house measuring six by eight feet, and a much larger platform crossing house measuring 10 by 30 feet. These sheds will contain the controls for crossing gates and other necessary station area equipment. There are currently no plans for murals or public art to make these structures more compatible with their surroundings.
As construction moves forward on the beleaguered SWLRT, the Met Council may soon be rewarded with a new income stream. The Governor’s office has proposed a new metro-wide sales tax of 1/8-cent, plus a 3/8-cent increase on motor vehicle sales — regressive taxes that would provide the Met Council approximately $60- to $90 million annually (“Walz tucks tax, fee increases among checks and credits in his proposed budget,” StarTribune, Jan. 25). The project is currently about four years behind schedule and at least $700 million over budget with an unfunded gap of roughly $260 million.
A report on the SWLRT delays and cost overruns was expected to be completed by the Minnesota Office of Legislative Auditor on March 15. It has not been released as of this writing.
