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Light rail riders in the Twin Cities will have to contend with major service changes for nearly two weeks, starting Monday night.

entire length of the Blue Line will be closed

, with buses replacing trains between downtown Minneapolis and the Mall of America.

On top of that, buses will also replace trains on part of the Green Line through downtown Minneapolis — between Target Field and U.S. Bank Stadium.

The light rail closures are scheduled to run through Oct. 4. The remainder of the Green Line, from U.S. Bank Stadium east to downtown St. Paul, will remain open.

The closures will allow crews to replace worn sections of track and other equipment along the rail lines, as well as clean and repair stations.

Officials said it’s the first of several planned projects along the two-decade-old Blue Line over the next few years. 

“The Blue Line is a critical part of our transit network, and we need to continually maintain and improve this investment so it remains a safe, reliable, and convenient way for people to get where they need to go,” Metro Transit general manager Lesley Kandaras said in an announcement about the closures.

The replacement buses will stop at or near light rail stations during the closure. Metro Transit is advising riders to plan on extra time to reach their destination.

Once train service resumes, Blue Line riders will see more-frequent service. Trains will begin running every 12 minutes beginning at 7 a.m., rather than at mid-morning. Metro Transit said that’s a result of successful hiring efforts for train operators.

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Light rail riders in the Twin Cities will have to contend with major service changes for nearly two weeks, starting Monday night.


Crews work to replace track along a light rail line 

Buses to replace trains on Blue Line, part of Green Line in Twin Cities for nearly two weeks

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