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Metropolitan Council hears public concern over Blue Line extension costs, equity and alternatives
Summary
The Metropolitan Council held a public hearing on proposed amendments to the 2050 Transportation Policy Plan that add the Blue Line extension alignment and the Metro Gold Line Extension; public commenters raised concerns about project cost, displacement risk and past rail project performance and urged consideration of bus alternatives.
Reva Chambliss, vice chair of the Metropolitan Council and council member for District 2, opened a public hearing Aug. 13 to take comments on a draft amendment to the Council's 2050 Transportation Policy Plan that adds the proposed Blue Line extension route alignment and a Metro Gold Line Extension that would run generally along I-94 between downtown St. Paul and downtown Minneapolis.
The amendment "translates a shared vision for our region's transportation systems into investment plans and decisions," the Council said when opening the hearing; written comments were accepted at metrocouncil.org/tpp and by email.
Matt Brunz, a long-term Minneapolis resident who spoke during the hearing, urged the Council to remove the Blue Line extension from the plan and reconsider heavy rail investment. "The extension's projected cost of $3,200,000,000 and growing and ridership estimates remain uncertain," Brunz said, citing evolving work patterns and remote employment. He warned that the alignment could accelerate displacement in historically underinvested neighborhoods and suggested investing in microtransit, enhanced local bus service and bus rapid transit instead.
Earlier in the meeting during the public invitation period, Andrew Boardman of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1005 criticized Council decisions affecting transit operations and maintenance. Boardman complained about a planned early shutdown of the Northstar commuter rail, contractors sent out of state to work on local light-rail vehicles and the resulting cost and rework borne by local mechanics and taxpayers: "Maybe not closing down a rail line that people depend on. Maybe planning better on light rail extensions," he said.
Council staff confirmed the Council received a letter of support for the Blue Line Extension from a coalition of labor organizations the afternoon of the hearing and said the letter would be circulated to Council members. No formal Council action on the Transportation Policy Plan amendment occurred at the hearing; staff will prepare a summary of comments and a revised amendment following the public comment period.
The Metropolitan Council's website posts the full amendment and instructions for submitting written comments. The public hearing record will be used by Council staff in drafting any revisions before future committee and Council consideration.
