Central Corridor Contract Awarded

Met Council Awards $205.1 Million Contract To Walsh Construction

The Metropolitan Council awarded its first heavy construction contract for the Central Corridor light rail transit project to Walsh Construction Wednesday.

The $205.1 million award will build the seven-mile St. Paul segment of the line.

Construction is expected to begin in August east of the state Capitol on Robert and 12th streets north of Interstate 94. Utility relocation work, however, is expected to start soon after July 4.

Officials say most of the heavy construction on University Avenue will occur in 2011 between Emerald Street and Hamline Avenue and in 2012 between Hamline and Robert. The work in downtown St. Paul will occur in 2011-2012.

Bids for the heavy construction work on the line’s western three miles will be opened July 27. The Met Council is scheduled to award that contract Aug. 25.