The track is being laid for light rail service between Eden Prairie and Minneapolis. Although it's mostly on paper at this point, the project has begun to gain steam.

A hearing to update the public on the project has been scheduled at 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23, at Eden Prairie City Hall, 8080 Mitchell Road.

The proposed 14-mile Southwest Transitway LRT line will traverse more than 28,000 trips per day, improving travel times and providing access to jobs in the fastest growing area of the metro, according to supporters.

The line is proposed to serve Eden Prairie, Minnetonka, Edina, Hopkins, St. Louis Park and Minneapolis.

The Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority (HCRRA), in partnership with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), is launching the project's Draft Environmental Impact Statement, the next major stage.

The Southwest Transitway project is an important addition to the Twin Cities transportation infrastructure, according to Katie Walker, transit project manager, Hennepin County.

"The Southwest Transitway line is an important part of our overall transit plan in the Greater Twin Cities," Walker said. "Transportation is a continual point of interest for our community members, which we are addressing with projects like this one."

Scoping meetings, such as the one planned in Eden Prairie, are designed to give the public an opportunity to review and comment on alternatives for improving transit service in the southwest metro area. The meetings consist of an open house to learn more about the project and a public hearing - a forum for comment.

The open houses are prior to each hearing to share information about the history of the project, how the light rail alternatives currently under consideration were developed and what the steps will be to go forward in building the line.

Two additional hearings are planned:

- Tuesday, Oct. 7, at the Hennepin County Government Center, 300 S. Sixth St., Minneapolis. Open house 2 p.m. and public hearing 3 p.m.

- Tuesday, Oct. 14, at the St. Louis Park City Hall, 5005 Minnetonka Blvd., St. Louis Park. Open house 5 p.m. and public hearing 6 p.m.

Southwest Transitway staff has reworked the project's website, updated the graphic identity and established a tagline that fits the project's sustainability focus. The base color being used is now a nature green in a more contemporary format. The identity's background is made up of plant aesthetics, which matches nicely with the project's new tagline: Green Means Go.

The new website includes a revised layout in addition to copy that has been updated, and will be continually. The site will also have an opt-in email list function, which provides continual information and meeting additions.

The proposed Southwest Transitway will connect to other rail lines - including Hiawatha, Central and Northstar - and high-frequency bus routes in downtown Minneapolis, providing access to the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport, Mall of America, the state Capitol and downtown St. Paul. The project is slated for completion in 2015.

- Compiled by Paul Wahl

Southwest Transitway staff has reworked the project's website, updated the graphic identity and established a tagline that fits the project's sustainability focus. The base color being used is now a nature green in a more contemporary format. The identity's background is made up of plant aesthetics, which matches nicely with the project's new tagline: Green Means Go.

The new website includes a revised layout in addition to copy that has been updated, and will be continually. The site will also have an opt-in email list function, which provides continual information and meeting additions.

The proposed Southwest Transitway will connect to other rail lines - including Hiawatha, Central and Northstar - and high-frequency bus routes in downtown Minneapolis, providing access to the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport, Mall of America, the state Capitol and downtown St. Paul. The project is slated for completion in 2015.

- Compiled by Paul Wahl