Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 21, 2009
PORTION OF HIAWATHA LINE TO BE CLOSED
JULY 24-27 FOR CONSTRUCTION WORK
MINNEAPOLIS – (July 21) – Planned construction work will shut down a portion of the Hiawatha light-rail line from 11 p.m. on Friday, July 24, through 3:30 a.m. on Monday, July 27.
During this period, Route 55 buses will substitute for trains between 46th Street Station and Mall of America Station. Trains will operate normally elsewhere along the 12-mile line.
Buses will operate more frequently than trains, but bus trips will take longer than train rides. Customers should plan accordingly, including those attending the Target Fireworks Show in downtown Minneapolis on July 25. Metro Transit staff will be on hand at key train stations to direct customers to replacement bus service.
Construction crews are lengthening rail platforms at stations to accommodate three-car trains. In addition, crews will work at rail/roadway intersections to upgrade the signaling system.
Customers can learn of any last-minute changes to the weekend plan by calling the rail maintenance hotline at 612-373-3333, option 6.
The Hiawatha light-rail line is operated by Metro Transit, a service of the Metropolitan Council. In 2008, the Hiawatha light-rail line surpassed 10 million rides for the first time.
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(Editors: For more information contact Bob Gibbons, director of customer services, at 612-349-7509 or robert.gibbons@metc.state.mn.us)
