On July 21 the Hennepin County Regional Rail Authority approved the county’s funding commitment of $12.8 million for the METRO Orange Line. This amount represents 8.6 percent of the project’s total funding, and brings the region one step closer to its fourth METRO line.

Earlier in the summer, 156 people responded to a survey on their preferred location for a station in Burnsville. Fifty-four percent of respondents preferred a station platform at Burnsville Transit Station compared with the 44 percent of respondents who preferred a station platform nearer to Heart of the City on Travelers Trail. Interestingly, 40 percent of those who took the survey do not have regular access to a vehicle, making them more dependent on transit. 

Most survey respondents lived in Burnsville, however, residents of Richfield, Savage, Lakeville and Minneapolis also participated in the survey at significant rates.

The three most important priorities for survey respondents were all-day parking, ease of transfer to local routes and the ability to walk to Heart of the City.

We are pleased to introduce Max Holdhusen as the METRO Orange Line’s new Community Engagement and Outreach Coordinator. Max is a full-time transit rider who lives near I-35W in the Whittier neighborhood of Minneapolis.

He is responsible for involving residents, businesses, students, employees, transit riders and elected officials in all things Orange Line. Max is eager to meet with you or your organization, conduct a presentation, organize a tour, and collaborate or brainstorm on transit-related issues. 

If you have ideas, questions or concerns please contact Max at 612-349-7409 or max.holdhusen@metrotransit.org.