Light-Rail Exceeds Expectations in First Month

In large cities, like Saint Paul and Minneapolis, mass transit lines and other government projects have the potential to significantly change the face of a neighborhood. Many of these changes can be good — government projects can provide services to new areas and increase property values. However, some projects could result in changes that are unwanted for property owners including years of construction and increased property taxes.

Many Minnesota residents in the Metro area have likely heard that the light-rail line connecting downtown Saint Paul and downtown Minneapolis has finally opened. The so-called Green Line has been years in the making and will hopefully make travel between the two cities more convenient.

With construction largely complete, many people are eager to see how the Green Line performs. According to reports, the first month of ridership has exceeded Metro Transit’s expectations. Data shows that 30,264 people on average rode the Green Line each day during its first four weeks. This ridership puts the line at a nearly equal footing with the Metro’s other Light-Rail line, the Blue Line.

The Blue Line has been in operation for 10 years and runs between downtown Minneapolis and the Mall of America. It sees an average of 30,585 riders per weekday. With the success of the Green and Blue lines, many may be wondering if Metro Transit will continue to expand the light-rail offerings around the Twin Cities.

In cases where the government is completing projects in a specific area, property owners should make sure they understand all their legal rights. Legal issues, like condemnation, could interfere with peoples use and enjoyment of their property. In these situations, people need to understand what the government can legally do and how to protect their rights.

Source: Pioneer Press, “Green Line’s first-month ridership beats estimates,” Frederick Melo, July 19, 2014