It took just minutes Tuesday afternoon to open four construction bids for the Southwest light-rail line, the most expensive public works project in state history.
The bids submitted by four construction partnerships ranged from $797 million to $1.08 billion, but it's unclear which group will prevail. The Metropolitan Council, which will build and operate the $1.9 billion line, will decide this fall after staff scrutinizes each bid packet.
Met Council officials won't say whether the bid amounts submitted fit within budget projections for the 14.5-mile line between Minneapolis and Eden Prairie.
But after the bid opening was delayed three times over the past six months, they were relieved Tuesday following the brief meeting.
"This is a big milestone," said Mark Fuhrmann, Metro Transit's deputy general manager.
The Southwest project is enormous, involving 15 passenger stations, 29 bridges, modifications to seven existing bridges, construction of two train and six pedestrian tunnels, 117 retaining walls, and laying miles of track.
"We received hundreds of technical questions from prospective bidders," said Fuhrmann, a light-rail veteran working on his eighth such project. "Each project is very different, but this is the most complex from a structural point of view."
If all goes according to plan, construction will begin next spring, with service on the line starting in 2021.
