Item Description:
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Support for the Gold Line Extension from city of Saint Paul to city of Minneapolis
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WHEREAS:
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WHEREAS, service for Gold Line Bus Rapid Transit began on March 22, 2025, as a mostly dedicated transitway between Woodbury and downtown St. Paul; and
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Council has, through the Metro Transit Capital Improvement Plan, recommended the establishment of a Gold Line Extension with services to and through downtown Minneapolis; and
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Council is in the process of amending the Transportation Policy Plan to add the Gold Line Extension; and
WHEREAS, public outreach has been done through the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s Rethinking I-94 study and the Metro Transit Network Now study; and
WHEREAS, public engagement will continue in 2025 to gather community input on station locations, preliminary designs, project impacts, and ensuring the extension aligns with local needs and priorities; and
WHEREAS, Hennepin County requests that the Metropolitan Council evaluates transit priority improvements along the project route to ensure a fast and reliable transit system.
Resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners supports the Gold Line Extension and supports Metro Transit continuing with community engagement, the development of preliminary and final plans, and right-of-way acquisition necessary for the construction of the Gold Line Extension project; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this resolution adopted by the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners be forwarded to the Metropolitan Council for its consideration.
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Background:
This action supports the county’s disparity reduction efforts by investing in transportation infrastructure that reduces climate impacts and gives people transportation choices and access to housing, jobs, schools, medical facilities, and other destinations of choice.
recommendation
Recommendation from County Administrator: Recommend Approval