Metro E Line opens in Minneapolis

Metro E Line opens, local leaders celebrate [Full]

Elected officials and Metro Transit leaders are celebrating the debut of the Metro Transit E Line that will now serve a 13-mile route from Southdale to the University of Minnesota.

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - Local leaders celebrated the opening of the new Metro E Line at Minneapolis College. 

READ MORE: South Minneapolis business owners cautiously optimistic about new E-line

Metro E Line opens

What they're saying:

The E Line runs along France, Hennepin and University Avenues, connecting Southdale, downtown Minneapolis and the University of Minnesota. 

The 13-mile route runs from Southdale to the University of Minnesota and is expected to serve 3,000 riders a day, officials say. 

The project utilized $12 million in federal funding as well as state funding with Metropolitan Council investments. 

Metro Transit emphasized better lighting conditions, more security cameras and heated bus shelters. 

‘Construction was tough’

The backstory:

For Victoria Ford, opening a bookstore for adults in Linden Hills was a fairytale, but soon "Comma, A Bookshop" will begin a new chapter, when it comes to customers getting to her business.

"Excited. It's been a long time coming. We had the construction last year and I'm just glad to see it ready and see what happens with people riding it," said Ford.

Last year, FOX 9 showed you how construction on the project caused road closures and detours at 50th and France and Linden Hills, with some business owners saying their bottom line was down 60%.

The 50th and France Business Association says customers are slowly coming back, and it is cautiously optimistic the new E-Line will bring more people to the area.

"It was unconscionable what happened. But we believe in forgiveness and we are excited for this line to come here and do all the things it says its going to do," said Rebecca Sorensen, Executive Director of the 50th & France Business Association.

For Victoria Ford, opening a bookstore for adults in Linden Hills was a fairytale, but soon "Comma, A Bookshop" will begin a new chapter, when it comes to customers getting to her business.

"Excited. It's been a long time coming. We had the construction last year and I'm just glad to see it ready and see what happens with people riding it," said Ford.