[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6261350,"mediaKeyId","3124329-22f76e2cc2c25fd03504e3f2221dfca5","parentId",3124329,"title","Metro Transit presents capital maintenance plan; identifies $15.2 billion 30‑year need and schedules multi‑year Blue Line closures","audioSeconds",384,"startMs",1109000,"endMs",1493000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3124329-22f76e2cc2c25fd03504e3f2221dfca5&start=1109&end=1493","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3124329-22f76e2cc2c25fd03504e3f2221dfca5/thumbnail_1109000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6261350/Minnesota/Metro-Transit-presents-capital-maintenance-plan-identifies-152-billion-30year-need-and-schedules-multiyear-Blue-Line-closures","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6261350-59abc8b3e84f0700827e4ea57ecec019/orig.mp4?Expires=1770505153&Signature=QG8tx9E1cS-0uKxROh6-WAPJ4ZEr8C5qECMlt~AAXaNXytauucz3KKUhdH2D6AyvA5lSrDUJGJkod9~jR9GWEvXSFTMQ8niNKlUiHpA4FPtdKRnCXNOvQpiBVvY~ONyr2cR0624XNnMY982QXooVJPwiG~tVH7pGsieExyL8-SFOJEPIv9Y1i~V-XNXQMCDMC14dmLcutorR9ZmvjCeG9RtcPIk1Jc-GpKduU5dCQcywq-Br5C2~lCmGA~NQkqWGcdjkspeGgXe1jp9BcItBKOr315QfEJEq1Wn64iNg5HN6zxKQzyoB9dK14EJOpMZiIVQbtFm~ED6DFIj2gRWueQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Minnesota Metropolitan Council","date","2025-04-25T00:00:00Z","article","Metro Transit staff on April 20 presented a high‑level overview of capital maintenance planning, describing long‑term funding needs, staffing challenges and the schedule for a three‑year state‑of‑good‑repair program on the Blue Line.

Brian Funk, Metro Transit deputy general manager and chief operating officer, told the Metropolitan Council the agency has identified about $15.2 billion in capital needs over 30 years and roughly $4.7 billion over the next six years, including about $833 million in 2025 alone. \"This commitment allowed us to do a multi‑decade look out ahead,\" Funk said, describing investments in light‑rail vehicle replacement, state‑of‑good‑repair projects, bus capital needs and arterial BRT investments.

Staff described the funding sources that support the capital program: federal, state and local grants, regional capital borrowing and the sales‑tax funding approved in 2023 (referred to in the presentation as Chapter 68 sales‑tax rule), which Metro Transit officials said is intended to address long‑term maintenance obligations.

Key project and schedule details included Renew the Blue, a three‑year state‑of‑good‑repair effort on the Blue Line. Kelsey Stones of Metro Transit's market development team said the project will require multiple full‑line closures: a nine‑day closure in September 2025, a 45‑day closure in June and August 2026, and a 53‑day closure in April–May 2027. The work covers the segment between Terminal 2 and Cedar‑Riverside and will affect airport–downtown connectivity during those periods.

Staff emphasized proactive communications and business outreach. MetroTransit.org/renewtheblue will serve as the project hub with updates, maps and an e‑newsletter; outreach materials, ads in multiple languages, station messaging and post‑closure rider surveys are planned.

Maintenance leaders outlined workforce and systems issues. Bruce Carden, deputy COO for maintenance, said the agency is budgeted for nearly 400 technicians and more than 550 frontline maintenance employees but faces more than 100 vacant maintenance technician positions that must be filled over the next two years to support light‑rail extensions and bus expansion. \"We're currently understaffed on some of those positions… we've got to get staffed up,\" Carden said. He also reported 21 rail breaks this winter season and described ultrasonic testing and staged repair work starting over the weekend and continuing through summer.

Kristen Thompson, director of asset management, described creation of the asset management team in 2022, enterprise asset management system (EAMS) implementation planning, GIS data work and development of asset‑level plans to meet Federal Transit Administration asset‑management requirements.

Council members broadly praised the presentation and asked about staffing trends, community impacts for station areas during closures (notably Lake Street and Franklin stations), and how bus bridge services will operate during Blue Line closures. Council Member Carter said she appreciated the communications planning and urged careful outreach so riders and businesses can plan. Council Member Little Green raised concerns about displacement of activities around stations and asked staff to coordinate with public safety and community partners; staff said they would bring those questions to the outreach lead, Kevin Murray.

Why it matters: Metro Transit said the work is intended to protect long‑term investments, avoid future service failures and ensure system reliability as the region expands service. The presentation framed the maintenance program as both an operational necessity and a budgeting priority to match available sales‑tax and grant funding with multi‑decade capital needs.

Next steps: Metro Transit will launch the Renew the Blue public hub in May, continue community outreach through summer 2025, implement scheduled closures beginning September 2025, and continue recruitment and apprenticeship efforts to fill technician vacancies.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Metropolitan Council April 24, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Metro Transit staff told the Metropolitan Council on April 20 that maintaining the transit system will require roughly $15.2 billion over 30 years and $4.7 billion over the next six years, and outlined a three‑year Renew the Blue state‑of‑good‑repair program that includes multi‑week full closures of the Blue Line.","taxTitle","Metropolitan Council, Agencies, Boards, & Commissions, Executive, Minnesota","taxId",36731,"location","Minnesota","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6261364,"Metropolitan Council approves short-term internal loan to cover environmental services capital cash-flow gap",188,409000,597000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3124329-22f76e2cc2c25fd03504e3f2221dfca5&start=409&end=597","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3124329-22f76e2cc2c25fd03504e3f2221dfca5/thumbnail_409000.jpg","/articles/6261364/Minnesota/Metropolitan-Council-approves-short-term-internal-loan-to-cover-environmental-services-capital-cash-flow-gap","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6261364-d4ed5a1635c2fb651bcc442e5d5ebe78/orig.mp4?Expires=1770505153&Signature=cPg3wRbS-4TA94hqEvNyYMGX8Xd--x5loJuId0cgVSLvB8JOvmGDAR6RVSAPXiv1RaRvfEuKLums8Mtrt2kJQS2Hc3wSVnQ4wwSC8t51jhJj1XheM-9KDmmGVmit80CCy7FHDhJFh7Z0CuAA2rA2Ico52w0ujjWEInqDQ0tUltG~ChWR3H7OjZl8XnpzLtYnI0Gru26juNHhcHLg9l-J1Xb1JhPein2BqS326~IXNx9PCw96o-wAKmx5j8HOC8DTMC8YgarP0QS6Skq8M1PK1Sx02c3WDk5ZWZoDuOafw2Q6zfU9czFI7pI0GtuQEUgdW48WkI-I4RPAJo6BLQ~Hng__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Metropolitan Council on April 20 authorized an internal loan to cover a short-term cash-flow gap in the Environmental Services capital fund until proceeds from the council's 2025 bond issuance become available on May 1, 2025.

Council Member Ruth Johnson, who presented the item during the management committee report, said the gap is the result of a $10,800,000 project that could not use a planned Public Facilities Authority loan after a 2023 state bonding bill did not pass as expected. \"This approval is not authorizing any new capital spending, it doesn't change the budget, it is strictly for cash flow,\" Johnson said.

The council's finance and asset management policy FM 2‑2 allows short-term, inter-unit loans to meet temporary cash needs, but requires council approval when a negative fund balance lasts more than three months or exceeds $10,000,000. The presentation to the council said the environmental services capital bond funding became exhausted in March 2025 because that unplanned $10.8 million project shifted to bond funding, and the council's next bond proceeds are not available until May 1.

Funding for the internal loan will come from the council's general investment pool; interest will be charged while the loan is outstanding. Chair Charley Zelle described the move as a short-term financing step and said, \"I believe in just‑in‑time financing.\" The council approved the item without recorded roll-call tallies in the meeting minutes.

Why it matters: the internal loan avoids interrupting capital work already underway while preserving the council's long-range capital plans. Council leaders emphasized the item does not increase authorized capital spending or change any project budgets — it only provides temporary cash until bond proceeds arrive.

Details recorded in the meeting: the project that triggered the shift from PFA loan to bond funding was described as $10,800,000; the council cited the FM 2‑2 threshold of $10,000,000; new bond proceeds were scheduled to be available May 1, 2025. The council meeting record does not include a roll-call vote tally for this item in the transcript provided.

Next steps: staff will execute the internal loan transaction and charge interest according to the council's policy, then repay the loan when the 2025 bond proceeds are received.","The Metropolitan Council on April 20 authorized an internal loan to cover a short-term cash-flow gap in the Environmental Services capital fund until bond proceeds arrive May 1, 2025.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":44,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6261355,"Metropolitan Council confirms Heather Worthington to LUAC and appoints Carmian Foster as EAC co‑chair; one abstention",414,695000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3124329-22f76e2cc2c25fd03504e3f2221dfca5&start=695&end=1109","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3124329-22f76e2cc2c25fd03504e3f2221dfca5/thumbnail_695000.jpg","/articles/6261355/Minnesota/Metropolitan-Council-confirms-Heather-Worthington-to-LUAC-and-appoints-Carmian-Foster-as-EAC-cochair-one-abstention","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6261355-7b838fea53940cc7eecf4ffb19bfc3e4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770505153&Signature=PkAbPXvUCjiUAhXUYA0FuxUuIHM1w-P-VhDH8sr0Q7sH~s1RyGghqmUJ~7KnEwzGGjhi-Ku2TgczvvI7XVTKHrPLXA9UridCyGMeiRDsU4Asz4vKZyaeoyATs0TCZF5Zn42LaqnpFkQ~R9VAH29N3UshFO60D9QJDBXLpd-8bpd2kz1I7aQYJvLl5HJm7lvXqMHd4wbodzcevLyGi3JdpRod2PcGpZBw7dXx0ksmBKAkLzVF5Q78H08GjaWXKIpCooQl-ctp2TZppzo0U7Dn44unzVcWUG0RwmZHT5ITQ1Sr9rNeWbiiJE9oOQ8rJ9v62luqzlCyNIXTKd52LwcgVQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Metropolitan Council voted April 20 to fill two advisory roles: Heather Worthington was confirmed as the District 14 representative on the Land Use Advisory Committee (LUAC), and the council ratified the Equity Advisory Committee's appointment of Carmian Foster as co‑chair.

Council members praised Worthington's record during the confirmation discussion. \"A quarter of a century ago, I was a young city council member and one of my first votes was to vote in favor of Heather Worthington as our city administrator for the city of Falcon Heights. And it was a darn good decision at that time and it'll be a darn good decision to appoint her tonight,\" said Council Member Peter.

On the Equity Advisory Committee appointment, staff reported that Vanessa Jenkins' term expired in January and that Carmian Foster was selected by the committee to serve as co‑chair. Council Member Lee, who said she knew Foster from a leadership program she runs, described Foster as \"a phenomenal leader\" and noted Foster's nonprofit and academic credentials. Lee said she would abstain from the vote to avoid any appearance of conflict; the council proceeded and ratified the appointment.

Both actions were recorded as approved in the meeting transcript; the meeting minutes in the transcript do not include roll‑call vote tallies for either appointment in the provided excerpt.

Why it matters: LUAC and the Equity Advisory Committee advise the council on land‑use and equity considerations that inform policy and project decisions. Filling vacancies restores advisory capacity for those bodies.

Details: Worthington's appointment fills the District 14 vacancy on LUAC; one LUAC seat (District 15) remains vacant, according to the staff report. The EAC co‑chair appointment ratified the committee's internal selection; the transcript records Council Member Lee's abstention but does not record a roll‑call tally.","The Metropolitan Council on April 20 confirmed Heather Worthington as the District 14 representative to the Land Use Advisory Committee and ratified the Equity Advisory Committee's appointment of Carmian Foster as co‑chair. Council Member Lee abstained on the EAC co‑chair vote, citing a possible overlap with a leadership program.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":92,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6261359,"Metropolitan Council adopts updated authorizing resolution to preserve eligibility for FTA grants",91,604000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3124329-22f76e2cc2c25fd03504e3f2221dfca5&start=604&end=695","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3124329-22f76e2cc2c25fd03504e3f2221dfca5/thumbnail_604000.jpg","/articles/6261359/Minnesota/Metropolitan-Council-adopts-updated-authorizing-resolution-to-preserve-eligibility-for-FTA-grants","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6261359-095f75ed89ab8df2562dbd3f7b8bfe87/orig.mp4?Expires=1770505153&Signature=L5pRyPl8mTMbWmgliM26EYeu-phSEofDibKDIN8cE3b8HmtG4JuUIGhYtKy7pa~fY27pAc79-11YA~WhusU1pBhsSuiChBEqPzToaRzt3um8bX451Zt~chCNn5K51Wg7toIusH0jxBMg6o~3AOMLacaacOYO2lTEQ-6Yd8P4n6APFkT9FmLllr9hl~1XsHZ61nKdAyJCC743B-K0MwzkcLjCnYI8LeAGwnj-PWZ0ax0hNUd0pu~D6lAg5lbEukzgjc7VhLvzeJxWzROMJ8jcISzj0b72Ox0TNqceeFwYJMj6pF1WU79GhsUFk3PihxcO14XhvPWCsadLeBTQVu8ipA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Metropolitan Council on April 20 adopted an FTA authorizing resolution that the council says is necessary to remain eligible for Federal Transit Administration grants and awards.

Council Member Barber, presenting the transportation committee report, explained that the FTA recently enhanced its Grants Management system and required updated labeling of the authorizing resolution beginning March 5, 2025. \"One of the prerequisites to be recipient of Federal Transit Administration funding is demonstrating legal capacity to carry out the projects included in federal assistance awards,\" Barber said. He moved adoption of the resolution.

Barber said the council had passed a similar resolution in 2006, and this new resolution brings the council's documents up to date with FTA's updated requirements and labeling. The resolution also delegates authority to act on behalf of the council for transmitting grant applications and related actions, he said.

The council approved the resolution during the meeting; the transcript records the passage but does not include a roll-call vote tally in the provided excerpt.

Why it matters: keeping the council's authorizing resolution current is a prerequisite for applying for and receiving FTA grants that fund transit capital and operating projects across the region. Staff said the updated resolution clears the way for future FTA grant applications and awards.","The Metropolitan Council unanimously adopted an authorizing resolution to demonstrate legal authority to file for Federal Transit Administration (FTA) grants and to delegate authority to act on the council's behalf, satisfying an updated FTA requirement introduced in March 2025.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Metro Transit presents capital maintenance plan; identifies $15.2 billion 30‑year need and schedules multi‑year Blue Line closures

Metropolitan Council approves short-term internal loan to cover environmental services capital cash-flow gap

Metropolitan Council confirms Heather Worthington to LUAC and appoints Carmian Foster as EAC co‑chair; one abstention

Metropolitan Council adopts updated authorizing resolution to preserve eligibility for FTA grants