Blue Line trains resume; extension cost jumps to $3.58B
Blue Line light rail trains between Target Field and the Mall of America will resume service Thursday after a months-long construction shutdown, Metro Transit said.[1]
The closure was used to upgrade signals and vehicle-guiding equipment to improve schedule reliability and reduce delays. Metro Transit said the work will help restore a more dependable timetable for riders.[1]
A proposed 13-mile Blue Line extension from downtown Minneapolis to Brooklyn Park is now estimated to cost $3.58 billion, including a 32% contingency. Design is reportedly about 90% complete, and roughly $290 million has already been spent on planning and design.
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📌 Key Facts
- Blue Line light rail between Target Field and Mall of America reopens Thursday after months of construction-related shutdown.
- The closure was used to upgrade signals and guiding equipment to improve schedule reliability and reduce delays.
- A proposed 13‑mile Blue Line extension from downtown Minneapolis to Brooklyn Park is now estimated to cost $3.58 billion, including a 32% contingency, with design reportedly 90% complete and about $290 million already spent on planning and design.
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August 19, 2026