Southwest Transitway Starts Draft Environmental Impact Statement Process; Falls in Line Moving Forward as Next Light Rail System After Central Corridor Light Rail Transit. Project Commissioner Gail Dorfman stakes claim to emphasize the project’s priority as Hennepin County starts the scoping meeting process, a chance for the public to learn more and share thoughts !

MINNEAPOLIS – As the Southwest Transitway project gains steam and heads into the important next phase, its spot in the Twin Cities metro transportation queue is being set. The Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority (HCRRA), in partnership with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), is launching the Southwest Transitway Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS), the next major stage of project development for the proposed light rail transit (LRT) line. Local transportation leaders are using this time to tout its importance and determine its place in line. “This is quite a substantial step for the Southwest Transitway project and one that puts it in the queue right behind the Central Corridor LRT project which will connect downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul,” said Gail Dorfman, Hennepin County Commissioner and Chair of the Southwest Policy Advisory Committee. “We’ve had broad-based community and business support in getting to this stage. We’ve worked as a team and that’s essential.

” The proposed 14-mile LRT line will serve more than 28,000 trips per day improving travel times and providing access to jobs in the fastest growing area of the metro. The line is proposed to serve the cities of Eden Prairie, Minnetonka, Edina, Hopkins, St. Louis Park and Minneapolis. The Southwest Transitway project is an important addition to the Twin Cities transportation infrastructure, according to Katie Walker, Transit Project Manager, Hennepin County. “The Southwest Transitway line is an important part of our overall transit plan in the Greater Twin Cities,” Walker said. “Transportation is a continual point of interest for our community members, which we are addressing with projects like this one.” As the project starts the 18-month DEIS process, the HCRRA has partnered with technical advisors, HDR, to better understand impacts of the potential Southwest Transitway LRT routes and an improved bus alternative on the surrounding community and environment.

The HCRRA has also launched a new website to make information easily accessible for the community during the scoping meeting phase (www.southwesttransitway.com). Scoping Meetings are a Time to Learn More and Be Heard As the first step of the DEIS, the HCRRA is hosting public “scoping” meetings to give the public an opportunity to review and comment on alternatives for improving transit service in the southwest metro area. The meetings consist of an open house to learn more about the project and a public hearing - a forum for comment. The scoping hearings are important opportunities for members of the public to make comments about the Southwest Transitway project. The open houses will be held prior to each hearing to share information about the history of the Southwest Transitway project, how the light rail alternatives currently under consideration were developed, and what the steps will be to go forward in building a Southwest Transitway.

Scoping meeting information is as follows: 
Tuesday, Oct. 7 at the Hennepin County Government Center (300 South 6th St., Minneapolis, 612 348 3169). Open House 2 p.m.; Public Hearing 3 p.m. 
Tuesday, Oct. 14 at the St. Louis Park City Hall (5005 Minnetonka Boulevard, St. Louis Park, 55416). Open House 5 p.m.; Public Hearing 6 p.m. 
Thursday, Oct. 23 at the Eden Prairie City Hall (8080 Mitchell Road, Eden Prairie, 55344). Open House 5 p.m.; Public Hearing 6 p.m.