LRT Cost Estimates Show Most Co-Location Options Cheaper Than Relocation

The Met Council released today its cost estimates for eight options for running light and freight rail lines through St. Louis Park once Southwest LRT comes to the city.

The council is expected to make a decision in late August on whether to reroute freight rail through St. Louis Park or to to "co-locate" it with the light rail line.

The cost estimates range from $120 million to $420 million.

St. Louis Park’s city council, several local lawmakers and the city's school board have all spoken out in opposition to re-routing freight rail lines. The council will hold an open house and a Q and A session starting 4:30 p.m. Thursday at St. Louis Park High School.

Here are the the cost estimates given by the Met Council. (Improvements common to all projects would add $85 million to $90 million per option.)

CO-LOCATION OPTIONS

All modes (trail, freight and LRT) at ground level - $50 million to $55 million. Reduces full residential property acquisitions from 55 to 26. 

Trail relocated - $35 million to $40 million – New trail route from Midtown Greenway to Cedar Lake Parkway, including trail overpass structures. Avoids full residential property acquisitions. Avoids full residential property acquisitions. 

Trail elevated - $50 million to $55 million – New elevated trail, including handicapped accessible connection to Cedar Lake Parkway. Avoids full residential property acquisitions. 

LRT elevated - $105 million to $110 million – New elevated LRT structure. Avoids full residential property acquisitions. 

Kenilworth deep LRT tunnel - $320 million to $330 million –Tunnel-boring operations and machinery, reconstruction of West Lake Street Bridge, subway tunnel station at West Lake and eliminates 21st Street Station.  Avoids full residential property acquisitions. 

Kenilworth shallow LRT tunnel -$150 million to $160 million – Cut-and-cover excavation, retains West Lake Street Station and eliminates 21st Street Station.  Avoids full residential property acquisitions. 

RELOCATION OPTIONS

Brunswick West alignment (through St. Louis Park High School football field) - $200 million to $210 million – Full or partial acquisition of 46 homes, businesses or public properties; construction of freight rail bridge structures, lowering of frontage road at Highway 7; and reconfiguration of local roads. 

Brunswick Central alignment (avoids St. Louis Park High School football field) - $190 million to $200 million – Full or partial acquisition of 32 homes, businesses and public properties; construction of overhead freight bridge; lowering of Highway 7 and frontage road; and, reconfiguration of local roads.