PLANNING STUDIES
Southwest Corridor Feasibility Study, Hennepin County, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Project Description
The Southwest Light Rail Transit Project is located in the southwest corner of Hennepin County, Minnesota. The Project is intended to deliver a high-frequency rail line serving the rapidly growing southwest metro area of Hennepin County including Eden Prairie, Minnetonka, Edina, Hopkins, St. Louis Park, Minneapolis Neighborhoods, and downtown Minneapolis. The Project involves multiple alignments ranging in size from 14-16 miles in length with approximately 11 station platforms.

SG&A Scope of Work/Challenges
Steve Greene & Associates was contracted to provide a technical perspective on various alignments to identify grade challenges, clearance issues to existing facilities, and other technical issues associated with light rail projects.

Success Story
SG&A provided technical support during the evaluation of various potential transit alignments with focus on grade limitations, geographical obstacles (lakes), roadway impacts, and bridge structure impacts. The proposed alignments required bridges to span major obstacles at perpendicular crossings and required the widening of existing roadways and bridges where alignments were either adjacent to or center-running in existing roadways. Typical sections and order of magnitude cost estimating was provided. The work performed was done so within budget and on schedule.