New opening date planned for Minnesota light rail line

After its April 3 grand opening was postponed due to a bus driver strike, Metro Transit’s first light rail line in more than 50 years will open on June 26 with a celebration highlighted by two days of free transit rides.

The $715-million Hiawatha light rail project will open in two phases and eventually run a total of 12 miles with 17 stations. Phase 1 opens Saturday.

The first phase runs from Minneapolis’ Warehouse District downtown to Fort Snelling. Phase 2 is scheduled to open in December 2004, extending the line to the Mall of America and two terminals in the airport.

Celebrations marking the opening will feature speeches by city and state officials, celebrity autograph signings, the University of Minnesota marching band and free rides on both the light rail transit system and any Metro Transit bus on June 26 and 27.