July 17, 2019 marked two major milestones for the METRO Orange Line: the execution of a $74.1 million federal funding grant and the groundbreaking of the Orange Line’s Knox Avenue Transitway.

This federal grant, the first Small Starts Grant Agreement the region has received, fully funds the $150.7 million Orange Line project. It also enabled the project to award a contract and begin construction on the Knox Avenue Transitway.

Governor Walz and FTA Region V Administrator Kelley Brookins attended to sign the funding grant, break ground and celebrate. They were joined by a who’s who of elected officials representing the corridor, along with agency staff from all levels of government and members of the public and business community. The milestone we celebrated wouldn’t have been possible without the support and dedication of all these partners. See event photos at https://flic.kr/s/aHsmFdkAJe

C.S. McCrossan was awarded the Knox Avenue Transitway construction contract and started work promptly. Construction of the transitway will continue through 2021.

Knox Avenue Park & Ride

Bus operations has shifted to the southwest section of the parking lot. The contractor reclaimed the eastern part of the lot and part of Knox Avenue. As a result, the amount of available parking space is reduced significantly.

Traffic Impacts

Overnight lane closures on I-494 will occur until the morning of Friday, August 16 to install traffic barriers and remove median barriers. Work will be ongoing in the center median of 494 during the overnights for utility work.

Eastbound and westbound I-494 will be reduced to a single lane from York Avenue to Lyndale Avenue from 10 p.m. – 5 a.m.

Southtown Drive

Pavement work near Knox Avenue. Access to businesses, including Lucky's 13 Pub, remain open.