Met Council authorizes $42.9 million increase to Blue Line Extension design contract
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Summary
The council approved an amendment to contract 22P103A with Kimberly Horn and Associates Inc., increasing the contract by $42,900,000 to a not-to-exceed $139,275,448; members said the amendment is funded through a capital grant agreement with Hennepin County and the Hennepin County Regional Rail Authority.
The Metropolitan Council on Nov. 12 authorized the Regional Administrator to execute an amendment to contract 22P103A with Kimberly Horn and Associates Inc. to continue design work for the Blue Line Extension LRT project.
Councilmember Toni Carter said that since the contract scope was developed in 2022, project design changes—such as the alignment shift from Lindell Avenue to Washington Avenue—require a contract amendment to continue final design and reach the bidding phase scheduled for 2027. The proposed amendment increases the contract value by $42,900,000, producing a total not-to-exceed amount of $139,275,448.
Councilmember Johnson noted on the record that the funds come from Hennepin County through a capital grant agreement and that the council is moving the county money into the project to keep it on schedule. The motion to authorize the Regional Administrator to execute the amendment was seconded and approved by voice vote.
The amendment was described as necessary to reflect updated project design work and to keep the Blue Line Extension on track for the planned 2027 bidding phase. The transcript records a voice vote; no roll-call tallies were provided in the meeting record.
Sources: Metropolitan Council transportation business item presentation, Nov. 12, 2025.
