Twin Cities’ Central Corridor heavy construction coming to end
Written by Jenifer Nunez, assistant editor
Central Corridor LRT
The final year of heavy construction on the Central Corridor Light Rail Transit Project between Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minn., is wrapping up on cue.
“Reaching the end of the hardest part of Central Corridor construction is cause for reflection and a little celebration. As we pause to mark this milestone, I would like to extend our appreciation to all businesses, customers and neighbors along Central Corridor that have endured the disruption of Central Corridor heavy construction in 2011 and 2012,” Metropolitan Council Chair Sue Haigh said.
The project ended 2011 at 45 percent complete overall. With more than 84 percent complete at the end of 2012, the project is on schedule to open for service in 2014. The systems work is 49 percent complete and the operations and maintenance facility is 76 percent complete. The $957-million project continues to remain within budget.
During the winter, the following work will continue:
• Construction inside the operation and maintenance facility.
• Electrical work at 18 stations.
• Installation of catenary poles that will hold the overhead wires along the alignment.
In 2013, crews will finish:
• Installing overhead electrical wires.
• Installing the traction power substations that will convert the alternating current from Xcel Energy’s lines to the direct current used by light-rail vehicles.
• Installing signal bungalows holding the signaling and communication systems.
• Completing the expanded Rail Control Center.
• Building the operations and maintenance facility.
• Installing station art.
• Assembling, delivering and testing the light-rail vehicles.
• Punch list items.
