Author: Jeff Strate

The Southwest Light Rail Transit (SWLRT) project anticipates road closures and heavy construction work at select sites in Eden Prairie and Minnetonka during the next few weeks. This information was released by the Met Council on Friday May 21. EDEN PRAIRIE The right-turn lane on the eastbound Highway 212 ramp to Prairie Center Drive remains closed. The I-494 off-ramp to Flying Cloud Drive has closed for the 2021 construction season. The I-494 on-ramp from Flying Cloud Drive is expected to remain closed through the summer. A westbound lane closure of I-494 near Flying Cloud Drive in Eden Prairie is anticipated…

Spring cleaning will again be a bit easier in Eden Prairie with a line-up of City of Eden Prairie managed services and events. Residents can wave farewell to lots of unwanted stuff from cut buckthorn and lawn thatch to tired patio chairs, mattresses and dead laptops. The programs are intended to complement commercial haulers during this busy clean-up season. Because each event and service is different, EPLN here provides links and contact numbers for readers to gather more information. SPRING CURBSIDE PICK UP – April 19 through May 14 As tulips pop up, you can leave old appliances, tires, power…

As spring progresses, Southwest Light Rail construction activity will be increasing along the route from Eden Prairie to downtown Minneapolis. A March 9, 2021 Met Council/SWLRT Project news release says that Eden Prairie and Minnetonka motorists can expect the following. In Eden Prairie For the week of April 12, northbound right lanes are closed on Prairie Center Drive from Singletree Lane to Technology Drive. An overnight closure of Prairie Center Drive from Singletree Lane to Technology Drive is anticipated on Wednesday, April 14 from 10:00 PM to 5:00 AM on Thursday, April 15. √ The I-494 off-ramp to Flying Cloud…

The Southwest Light Rail Transit project anticipates the full overnight closure of Interstate Highway 494 near Flying Cloud Drive on Thursday, April 8 from 10:00 PM to 5:00 AM on Friday, April 9. A SWLRT / Met Council update says that crews will be completing bridge milling and decking work. Eastbound 494 drivers should detour via Highway 212 and Highway 62 to Highway 169. Westbound 494 drivers should take Highway 169 to Highway 62 or Highway 212 for access to local streets.  Other SWLRT construction alerts for Eden Prairie √ The I-494 off-ramp to Flying Cloud Drive has closed for…

The Southwest Light Rail Transit Project construction has slated the overnight closure of Interstate Highway 494 near Flying Cloud Drive for full closure Monday, March 29th from 10:00 PM to 5:00 AM on Tuesday, March 30. A Southwest LRT / Met Council update says that crews will be completing roadway bridge milling and decking work. Recommended Detours Eastbound I-494 traffic can follow Highway 212 and Highway 62 to Highway 169 South to rejoin I-494 Westbound traffic should follow 169 North to Highway 62 or Highway 212 for local access and to reconnect to I-494. Other SWLRT alerts for Eden Prairie…

The gallows hastily erected in front of the National Capitol during the January 6th insurrection signaled the mob’s intentions: They were out to kill Mike Pence and Nancy Pelosi. The vice president and the House Majority Leader might have hanged on the approach to the stately home of our democratic republic, one built by enslaved people from Africa. Can America breathe? Midway through Black History Month, the moderator of a Minnesota History Center discussion echoed what was first heard during last summer’s protests, “Minneapolis has become the epicenter for a national reconciling with race.” The panel of black authors and…

East bound Prairie Center Drive will be closed today (Thursday February 25, 2021) between Technology Drive & Singletree Lane from 8 am to 3:30 pm. Look for detour signs in the area. This stretch of Prairie Center Drive will reopen at 3:30 pm. Southwest LRT bridge work that was delayed earlier this month due to extreme cold weather will resume this morning. For more information go to www.SWLRT.org

Eden Prairie Local News (EPLN) has become a member of the Institute for Nonprofit News (INN). INN is a nationwide association of some 300 established and start-up, nonprofit news organizations, newsrooms and centers that are dedicated to nonpartisan public service and high journalist standards. The Eden Prairie Local News’ leadership team, which informally calls itself “the working group,” elected to join INN to take advantage of its multi-faceted support and advisory services for nonprofit news organizations. “We’re discovering new capabilities in our digital environment that enhance connections and trust between our readers, the businesses and schools which serve them, and…

Active construction work on Southwest Light Rail will continue in select zones along the alignment in Eden Prairie and other cities throughout the winter, according to a SWLRT notice dated January 29. Weather conditions may alter anticipated work times. In Eden Prairie, motorists and pedestrians can expect to encounter work crews and construction vehicles and detours in the following areas through February 11. The SouthWest Station areaPiling and concrete work. Purgatory Park (near SW Station)Temporary closure of one access lane to the lake side park and veterans memorial on February 3. Prairie Center DriveConcrete work and bridge walkway preparation during…

Four winners of the City of Eden Prairie’s first Martin Luther King, Jr. Words in Action Contest were honored by the City and its Human Rights and Diversity Commission during the Council’s meeting on Tuesday, January 19, 2021. Winners Siri Manikonda, Shaunya Kumar, Miriam Marsan, and Leah Quintera presented their essays and art work in-person or via Zoom to Mayor Ron Case and council members and a few city staff and citizens following pandemic protocols. In December, Eden Prairie youth were invited by the City to share their thoughts about an inspiring Martin Luther King, Jr. quote them through art,…