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The University of Minnesota has been a committed, constructive partner in the planning of the Central Corridor Light Rail Transit (CCLRT) line for many years. The University believes a strengthened metropolitan transit system that includes CCLRT contributes to the success of the state, the region, and the University.
As light rail becomes part of campus, it remains essential that research
programs and research infrastructure not be compromised. The CCLRT will
travel down Washington Avenue, which is Minnesota’s most productive research
corridor. More than 80 labs in 17 buildings along or in close proximity
to this corridor will be adversely impacted by vibration or electromagnetic
interference (EMI) from CCLRT if proper mitigation steps are not taken.
One research facility alone, the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) facility
in Hasselmo Hall, which will be less than 80 feet from the CCLRT tracks,
generates $110 million in grant funding, and supports 160 researchers across
22 University departments, undergraduate and graduate teaching, as well
as research by private sector companies. Research conducted by University
of Minnesota faculty in all of these labs contributes to economic growth
and enhances the health of our community, the state and the world.
The Metropolitan Council must provide a guaranteed solution for protecting research and the research infrastructure along Washington Avenue, so that conditions along this research corridor do not deteriorate—in other words, “do no harm.” These labs were built over many decades using millions of taxpayer dollars for the purpose of solving some of the major issues of our time, like diabetes, Alzheimer’s, cancer, and renewable energy. The University cannot allow its research mission to be jeopardized.
On Tuesday, September 22, the University filed suit against the Metropolitan Council in Hennepin County District Court, seeking protection from the adverse effects of construction and operation of the Central Corridor Light Rail Transit (CCLRT) project on the East Bank Campus. A press release is available here and the formal complaint is also available online.
