Hiawatha Light Rail Transit
The Hiawatha Light Rail Transit (LRT) route is the first LRT line planned for the Twin Cities metropolitan area. The 11.6-mile route will run along Hiawatha Avenue and along 5th Street in Downtown Minneapolis. The line will include 17 stations and link downtown Minneapolis, the Airport and the Mall of America. These locations are three of the largest economic and job centers in the region. There will be a total of four stations in downtown Minneapolis and six stations in Minneapolis neighborhoods.
Light rail transit is the modern version of the streetcars that operated in Minneapolis until the mid 1950s. LRT is an important part of a transit system because of its ability to transport high numbers of commuters comfortably, efficiently and quietly. LRT trains can operate as single cars, or can be combined into two and three-car trains. LRT trains are clean and quiet because they are electrically powered by overhead lines. Stations designs allow access by pedestrians, drop-off, reconfigured bus connections, and park-and-ride.
More so than bus transit, LRT stations attract new development and investment at and near the station. The City, in cooperation with the Metropolitan Council, Hennepin County, and neighborhood groups, is conducting master planning for the areas around LRT stations.
LRT Station Master Planning
38th Street Station Area Plan
38th Street Station Area Plan - Draft Vision and Principles
38th Street Station Area Plan - Land Use Designations and Design Principals
38th Street Station Area Plan - Planning Districts and Nodes
46th Street Station Area Master Plan
Corcoran Midtown Revival Plan
Franklin-Cedar/Riverside Area Master Plan
Franklin-Cedar/Riverside Area Master Plan Plan Sections
Hi-Lake Shopping Center Development Guidelines and Objectives
Hiawatha/Lake Station Area Master Plan
SENA Action Group Meeting Synopsis
More information on the Hiawatha LRT Project, including community meetings:
Last updated Dec. 1, 2011