Metropolitan Council reopens hearing on 2050 transportation plan as residents, labor raise concerns about Blue Line extension

The Metropolitan Council on Aug. 13 convened and later briefly reopened a public hearing on a draft amendment to its 2050 Transportation Policy Plan to include the proposed Blue Line extension route alignment and to add a Metro Gold Line extension generally along I‑94.

The amendment, part of the Imagine 2050 development guide, would add the current proposed Blue Line extension alignment and the Gold Line extension to the region's guiding transportation policy, staff said at the hearing. The council accepted public testimony and said written comments would be accepted through 5 p.m. Aug. 27.

Why it matters: The amendment would put the Blue Line extension and the Gold Line extension into the region’s formal policy guidance that helps determine long‑term investments in transit and related land use. Supporters…