Light Rail

Southwest Transitway logo

Rapid growth in the southwest metro area is putting more demands on our existing roads and transit systems. By 2030, cities in this area are expected to add 63,000 residents and 79,000 jobs.

The “Southwest Transitway” is a proposed Light Rail Transit (LRT) line that would connect downtown Minneapolis to St. Louis Park, Hopkins, Minnetonka, and Eden Prairie. Hopkins is the proposed site for three transit stations, which would have a significant impact on future development in the city.

Station area planning efforts

Proposed sites of Hopkins transit stations

Hopkins is the proposed site for
three transit stations.

Hennepin County contracted Hay Dobbs, P.A., to complete station area planning in each of the suburbs that will be connected by the Southwest Transitway, including Hopkins. This planning was completed in early 2010.

In Hopkins, station area planning occured around and within a ½ mile radius of the station locations at Blake Road, in Downtown Hopkins and at Shady Oak Road. For more information, download the following sections from the final Station Area Planning Document:

If you would like to view the entire document for all 12 proposed stations in the southwest metro, please contact Tara Beard at 952-548-6343.

Process

The planning approach focused on the development of station area plans that build upon county and municipal planning work while searching for new and creative planning that supports and enhances LRT. Public involvement throughout the process was critical to maintaining the unique identity of Hopkins and ensuring that LRT will be successfully embraced as an amenity for the southwest region.

Downtown Station Planning: Student work wins MN APA award

In 2009, three Master of Urban and Regional Planning students from the Humphrey Institute at the University of Minnesota completed a study of 8th Ave S as a connector between the future Downtown Hopkins LRT Station and Mainstreet. The study was given the award for Outstanding Student Project by the Minnesota chapter of the American Planning Association. 

That study in particular highlighted the need for a “pedestrian seductive” experience along 8th Avenue South through streetscape improvements, active first floor uses, and circulation options from the station throughout Downtown. 

Additional information

Visit the Southwest Transitway Study Web site.

Contacts

  • Public Works Director

    952-548-6350
  • Community Development Coordinator

    952-548-6343

Previous planning efforts

Since June 2006, the City of Hopkins has partnered with Hennepin County and heard from residents through open houses and community meetings in order to determine the best methods for development of light rail transit in Hopkins. The findings are compiled in the October 2007 Hopkins Station Area Plan Final Report 4.5MB, now being used as a guide for further Station Area Planning.