Northstar Construction Update - February 15

This week, Northstar is continuing construction of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) connection in downtown Minneapolis and the Vehicle Maintenance Facility (VMF) in Big Lake.  Details on upcoming construction activities are included below.

Downtown Minneapolis - Light Rail Transit (LRT) Connection

• Reconstruction of the south half of the 5th Street North bridge over I-394 continues.  One lane of eastbound traffic will be maintained on the north side of the bridge during demolition and construction.
• Construction crews are scheduled to begin setting beams on the 5th Street North bridge over I-394 on Saturday, February 23rd.  Work will continue into the week of Monday, February 25th.  During this time, there will be periodic lane closures on I-394 as well as inbound and outbound ramp closures.  Specific dates and times of closures will be included in next week's Northstar Constructino Update.
• Electrical conduit continues to be installed beneath the 5th Street North bridge over the BNSF train tracks.

City of Big Lake - Vehicle Maintenance Facility

• There are no anticipated traffic impacts related to VMF construction in the coming week.
• The floor of the VMF office area has been poured and work has begun on the mezzanine walls.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding Northstar construction or any other aspect of the project, please contact Jonathan Blake at 651-366-5840 or by e-mail at jonathan.blake@mnrail.org.  Please also visit Northstar online at http://www.mn-getonboard.com/.

For information on the new Minnestoa Twins Ballpark, which is being constructed adjacent to Northstar's downtown Minneapolis construction site, visit the Minnestoa Ballpark Authority (MBA) website at http://www.ballparkauthority.com/ or call 612-543-PARK.  The MBA can provide you with information relating to construction of the Twins Ballpark and resulting traffic impacts.

Construction Site - LRT Connection

Ballpark Webcam:  Arial view of Twins Ballpark and Northstar construction (Feb. 13, 2008)

Construction Site - Vehicle Maintenance Facility

Inside the VMF office area (Feb. 4, 2008)