Metro Transit will host an Orange Line public meeting on Tuesday, May 24 from 6 pm to 8 pm in the Media Room at Kennedy High School, 9701 Nicollet Avenue South, Bloomington. This location is accessible by bus routes 18, 539, and 554. 

The meeting will focus on:

• Planned route and station improvements;
• Station design concepts;
• Traffic impacts;
• Area of study for historic and cultural resources;
• Service improvements;
• Environmental justice and social impacts; and 
• Impacts on the built environment.

Please contact Max Holdhusen if you have any questions at 612-349-7409 or max.holdhusen@metrotransit.org.

The Orange Line's Lake Street Station reached a major milestone this month. The City of Minneapolis provided Municipal Consent on the I-35W Transit/Access Project on May 13, approving a series of related road, bridge, and transit improvements between I-94 and 42nd Street. This design includes the Orange Line Lake Street Station, as well as a new southbound MnPASS on I-35W between 24th and 42nd Streets. The new station and MnPASS lanes will greatly improve access and reliability for thousands of riders in the corridor.

Best Buy's Net Impact chapter invited the Orange Line team to host an open house and presentation for Best Buy employees on the future METRO line. Employees were asked what would encourage them to ride transit more often, and for their feedback on the draft station designs. Ideas and questions were gathered and shared with Metro Transit and city staff.

Employees discussed the station location on Knox Avenue, and whether it should be sited for those using the park and ride or those connecting from local bus service and on foot. We also heard from many current transit riders, some traveling from Burnsville, Apple Valley and South Minneapolis, who are excited for the new service to speed up their commute. 

The METRO Orange Line's 76th Street Station will be adjacent to the Best Buy headquarters on Knox Avenue.