Metropolitan Council creates new regional transit infrastructure division and leadership position

The Metropolitan Council (Met Council) has created a new regional transit infrastructure division and leadership position to provide a more consistent and robust approach to complicated and critical infrastructure projects.

The new regional transit infrastructure division will manage the development and construction of regional transit projects that are significant in size and complexity and have substantial financial impact. This includes all light rail and bus rapid transit projects.

The division will be led by a new executive director who will report directly to Met Council Chair Charlie Zelle.

“We’ve taken the feedback and recommendations seriously from experts such as the Minnesota Department of Transportation and the Office of the Legislative Auditor and engaged with national consultants on how best to approach this complex work,” Zelle said. “I am confident this new division under the leadership of an executive director will ultimately strengthen how the Met Council advances the region's vision for transit.”

Over the last 15 years, the Met Council has taken on multiple projects, which can at times put a strain on the organization. With the new division, the Met Council will be better structured to implement multiple transitway capital projects simultaneously.

“These massive infrastructure projects are more than construction; they also require robust planning and extensive public engagement,” Zelle said. “I am committed to creating this new division that will focus on strengthening the application of best project management practices when implementing large regional transit infrastructure projects.”

The Met Council will begin the search for the executive director position. While the search is underway, the Metro Transit deputy general manager for capital programs will begin reporting directly to the chair. The transition to this new division is expected to be complete in the next several months.