Close Menu
Eden Prairie Local News
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Wednesday, May 21
    • About
      • About EPLN
      • Team
      • EPLN in the News
      • Policies
    • Contact
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Threads LinkedIn
    Subscribe
    Eden Prairie Local News
    • Home
    • Schools
    • Business
    • Sports
    • Public Safety
    • City
    • Calendar
    • Subscribe
    • Donate
    • More
      • Construction
      • Outdoors
      • Politics
      • Health
      • Spirituality
      • Community Service
      • Legacy
      • Obituaries
      • Arts
      • Family
      • Holidays
      • Letter to Editor
      • Listen
      • Jobs
    Eden Prairie Local News
    Home»Construction»Busy week for SWLRT construction in EP starts at 6 a.m. Aug. 30
    Construction

    Busy week for SWLRT construction in EP starts at 6 a.m. Aug. 30

    Jeff StrateBy Jeff StrateAugust 29, 2021Updated:August 30, 20213 Mins Read
    SWLRT Golden Triangle Station post heavy rain
    Flooded areas caused by heavy weekend rains could delay track work at Eden Prairie’s Golden Triangle Station slated to begin Sept. 6. Photo by Jeff Strate

    Southwest Light Rail construction crews return to multiple Eden Prairie and Minnetonka work sites on Monday, Aug. 30. They’ll find conditions variably soggy. Flying Cloud Airport measured 3.1 inches of rain from Aug. 26 through early morning Aug. 29.

    Weather permitting, Aug. 30 begins one of the busiest light rail construction weeks in months including two new closures slated for sections of Interstate 494 and Flying Cloud Dr. Directional detour signs will be posted in all construction areas. Visit the SWLRT project website for road closing bulletins and detour maps.

    View of light rail bridge over Nine Mile Creek.
    The span over Nine Mile Creek and Flying Cloud Dr. looking south to the Performing Institute of Minnesota Arts High School. Photo by Jeff Strate

    Eden Prairie

    MONDAY – Flying Cloud Dr.
    Bridge work that was slated for Aug. 27 over Nine Mile Creek and Flying Cloud Dr. south of the dog park was postponed due to rain. Weather permitting, Flying Cloud Dr. will close Monday, Aug. 30 from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. The south access to the Performing Institute of Minnesota Arts High School (PIM) via Valley View Rd. and Flying Cloud Dr. will remain open for local traffic.

    Advertisement
    Ad for Washburn McReavy

    THURSDAY – Interstate 494 – full, overnight closure
    All lanes of I-494 will close overnight between Highways 169 and 212 on Sept. 2 from 10 p.m. until 5 a.m Sept. 3.

    On-going closures

    The westbound Hwy. 212 off-ramp to Shady Oak Rd. remains closed through the construction season.

    The I-494 off-ramp to Flying Cloud Dr. remains closed for the 2021 construction season.

    The Hwy. 62 on-ramp from Shady Oak Rd. remains closed.

    Anticipated full closures

    West 70th Street – beginning Sept. 6
    Installation of train rails and the construction of foundations for the overhead catenary system will close West 70th St. next to the Golden Triangle Station for three to four days beginning Sept. 6. The light rail catenary system powers trains from overhead, electrified cables suspended on towers.

    Stack of track rail for SWLRT.
    Stacks of rails at the Golden Triangle Station will be installed over the next few months. Photo by Jeff Strate

    Highway 62
    Temporary closures along eastbound Hwy. 62 between Shady Oak Rd. and Hwy. 212 can be expected through mid-September. A full closure of Hwy. 62 is also anticipated for a mid-September weekend.

    Lane closures – Flying Cloud Drive

    One lane in both directions will remain open on Flying Cloud Dr. between Town Center Place and Valley View Rd. through the summer. Left turns in and out of Technology Dr. at the Flying Cloud Dr. intersection are not allowed through the summer.

    Minnetonka

    Opus
    The City of Minnetonka is reconstructing Bren Road East near the light rail corridor. Motorists on Red Circle Dr. and Bren Road East can temporarily connect with Yellow Circle Dr. During this phase of construction, Yellow Circle Dr. is a two-way road to accommodate local business and through traffic.

    The City of Minnetonka is rebuilding the Blue Circle Dr. bridge. The bridge will reopen when work is completed in November.

    Smetana Road
    Smetana Road from Feltl Road to Nolan Dr. is closed until later this autumn. Local traffic can take a bypass east of the intersection of Smetana and Feltl roads.

    This report uses information from a Met Council/SWLRT bulletin released on Aug. 27, 2021.

    Questions and comments can be addressed to James Mockovciak, the Southwest LRT community outreach coordinator, at (612) 373-3894 or james.mockovciak@metrotransit.org.

    The construction hotline is (612) 373-3933.

    Comments
    We offer several ways for our readers to provide feedback. Your comments are welcome on our social media posts (Facebook, X, Instagram, Threads, and LinkedIn). We also encourage Letters to the Editor; submission guidelines can be found on our Contact Us page. If you believe this story has an error or you would like to get in touch with the author, please connect with us.

    Be Informed
    Sign up for the FREE email newsletter from EPLN
    Subscribe
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Previous ArticlePride Institute offers lifeline to LGBTQ+ addicts
    Next Article State’s quality of life, schools draw Russians

    More to READ

    1 Min Read

    Daytime lane closures planned May 19 on Hwy. 101 in Chanhassen, Eden Prairie

    May 17, 2025
    2 Mins Read

    MnDOT to discuss Eden Prairie highway project May 14

    May 1, 2025
    2 Mins Read

    Closures ahead on Highway 101 in Chanhassen, Eden Prairie

    April 25, 2025
    Subscribe to get EPLN in your inbox for FREE!
    Recent Articles

    Giant beaver is one signature away from becoming Minnesota’s state fossil

    May 21, 2025

    ‘Fountain of Youth’ is fool’s gold

    May 21, 2025

    Eden Prairie High School program gives seniors a head start on careers

    May 21, 2025

    Shakopee man charged in Eden Prairie sexual assault of 15-year-old girl

    May 21, 2025

    EPHS synchronized swim team advances to state meet

    May 20, 2025
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    INN Network Member Guidestar Seal
    Eden Prairie Local News is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization EIN 85-4248265 | Copyright © 2020-2025
    • About
    • Policies
    • Jobs
    • Contact
    • Advertising
    • Subscribe
    • Donate

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.