Southwest Light-Rail Line in Minnesota to Open June 12, 2027, After Delays
The Southwest light-rail line, also known as the Green Line Extension, is scheduled to open on June 12, 2027, according to an announcement by Met Council Chair Robin Hutcheson. This 14.5-mile line will connect Eden Prairie to downtown Minneapolis, passing through five cities: Minneapolis, St. Louis Park, Hopkins, Minnetonka, and Eden Prairie. The project, which gained approval nearly 15 years ago and took almost seven years to build with approximately 5,700 workers, has faced significant delays and cost overruns. Originally slated for a 2018 opening with a budget of $1.25 billion, the project's cost has swelled to $2.86 billion, making it one of Minnesota's most expensive public works projects. The line will feature 16 stations, with an estimated 32-minute trip time from Southwest Station in Eden Prairie to Target Field in Minneapolis.
