MnDOT Will ‘Play a Bigger Role’ in Light Rail Projects
Written by Jennifer McLawhorn, Managing Editor
Courtesy of Tony Webster
MINNEAPOLIS – The MnDOT will have more involvement over Minnesota light rail projects, but it will not replace the Met Council completely.
On April 4th, RT&S reported Senate Transportation Chair Scott Dibble had argued the MnDOT should oversee future light rail projects as opposed to the Met Council due to its handling of the Southwest Light Rail project. During a hearing, Chair Dibble showed support in changing responsibility of future light rail projects over to the Minnesota Department of Transportation. RT&S has reported on the rising costs and delays of the project in recent months. In response to Dibble, MnDOT Commissioner Nancy Daubenberger thanked Dibble but said moving project oversight to the MnDOT would be costly.
Now, the MnDOT will “assume a bigger role” in the Blue Line light rail extension, according to an Aol report. A provision is in place in a 1,400-page tax law that “calls for MnDOT’s input on the design, planning, land acquisition, construction, and scheduling of the Blue Line. . . Service is projected to begin in 2030.” It appears that while the MnDOT will not replace the Met Council in terms of oversight. Instead, a compromise detailing limited MnDOT involvement was struck. Dibble was reported as saying, “MnDOT won’t take over the project, but will play a bigger role.”
MnDOT Commissioner Daubenberger said she was “supportive of the language in the final bill and very appreciative of Sen. Dibble’s efforts to work with the department to leverage additional MnDOT expertise to meet his goals of providing more accountability and oversight on the Blue Line extension and potential, future light rail transit projects.” Now, MnDOT staff will have involvement in “analyzing bid proposals before they’re awarded.” Additionally, MnDOT staff will review change orders totaling over $500,000 and any delays that last longer than 30 days. The report states if there is a contractor dispute, MnDOT will have a role in its resolution.
The law calls for at least one MnDOT staff member that is working on these light rail projects to be a licensed engineer. Moreover, any light rail project manager and lead engineer must have 10 or more years of transportation experience each.
