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LRT Blue Line Extension Approved By Final Municipality

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The fifth and final municipality unanimously approved an extension to the light rail blue line in their district Friday, clearing the way for the project to move forward.

The Robbinsdale City Council approved the 13-mile extension on the final day of the municipal consent period for the nearly $1.5 billion project. The extension would run from Target Field downtown into the northwest suburbs through Golden Valley, Robbinsdale, Crystal and Brooklyn Park.

Municipal consent by each of the affected districts was required by state law within a 45-day period, including approval of the project's tracks, bridges, stations, roads and support structures.

The Metropolitan Council approved the project in December, and it's expected to enter the engineering phase in August. Construction is currently planned to begin in 2018, with passenger service starting in 2021.

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