North Minneapolis Transit

In 2009 extending thru 2010 there is a proposal to build a Light Rail Transit (LRT)
line thru / around North Minneapolis -- the Bottineau Line. There have been a number
of "open house" presentations but this is a big proposal that may not be built until
2018 (if it gets built at all).  So it takes time for people to learn about it.

This line will hopefully be the fourth line in a Twin Cities system of transitways by 2030 (map)
This map is from 2030 Transportation Policy Plan.

Many of these lines radiate out from downtown Minneapolis.
The lines expected to be built before the Bottineau Line are:
o Hiawatha line to airport and Megamall opened in 2004
o Central Corridor to St Paul via University Av with passenger service to begin in 2014.
o South West route as of 2009 projected to open in 2017.
Below are some related links.

Details about Bottineau LRT proposal  from
Official Bottineau Transit site which also has some meeting dates.
Fred's Bottineau Route alternatives Google map (zoomable)
N Mpls Transit mailing list Info Page for subscribing and archives (still inactive as of Feb 2010)

Fred's Oct 28, 2009 Blog entry about LRT which includes
links to some pictures of the Hiawatha LRT near the VA hospital which
resembles how I think Penn Av would look. Penn would have one wider one-way south vehicle lane
on the west side of the tracks and would have a Jersey barrier between the tracks and the
sidewalk on the east.  I would like to see pedestrian openings in the barrier at intersections
that are closed to car traffic.

Picture of  Hiawatha LRT at E 53rd St and Minnehaha looking NE with train passing and new
Condos in background.

Metropolitan Council Regional Transportation
Extensive Bottineau Boulevard Transitway page at Wikipedia
Mapping Susceptibility to Gentrification: the Early Warning Toolkit from
the Center for Community Innovation at UC Berkley