Metro Transit

Facing increasing ridership, Metro Transit has launched a $10.6-million project to extend the length of nine of the 17 Hiawatha Line light-rail stations by 100 feet to accommodate three cars per train instead of two. "The Hiawatha Line carried a record 10.2 million passengers in 2008, a 12 percent increase from 2007, and 20 percent higher than the projected 2020 forecast," noted Bob Gibbons, Metro Transit spokesman. "And for the first three months of 2009, ridership was 2.9 percent ahead of the same period a year ago, as more drivers turn to transit during this difficult economy," he added. The station modifications include extending the platforms and roofs from 200 to 300 feet with the same architectural features as were incorporated in the 2004 station designs. Some platforms will be extended northward, others to the south, depending on street crossing. The contractor, Sheehy Construction, has simultaneously begun modifications at five locations, starting with the 28th Avenue South station, then proceeding north through the Bloomington Central, Fort Snelling, VA Medical Center and 50th St./Minnehaha Park stops. Remaining platforms to be expanded are the 46th Street, 38th Street, Cedar Avenue and Franklin Avenue stations. Completion of the project is scheduled for March 2010. For further details, visit the Metro Transit website at www.metrotransit.org/rail. ...Dick Saunders