Gov. Mark Dayton announced Tuesday that the Metropolitan Council vote on light rail will be delayed 60-90 days until the Council makes its final decision.

According to Laura Baenen, communications manager for the Southwest Light Rail Transit, the announcement was delayed because the Met Council wanted more time for administrators to review the project details.

“(Met Council) Chair Haigh agreed to give the Corridor Management Committee more time so we could present a number of options
with a lot of details,” Baenen said.

According to Safety in the Park co-chair Jami LaPray, the Corridor Management Committee named the shallow tunnel route the best option for Light Rail construction. LaPray said she thinks students should get involved by writing opinionated letters.

“It shows that students in the community are also concerned,” LaPray said.

Freshman Hannah Selvig said she would be personally affected by the possible freight re- routes, and hopes the shallow tunnel proposal is approved.

“I think that any plan that wouldn’t disrupt my house or the school is the better plan,” Selvig said.

While St. Louis Park mayor Jeff Jacobs was unavailable for comment, he expressed in a letter addressed to Gov. Dayton his disappointment with the delay of the Met Council Vote, which, according to the letter, reopens the possibility of the freight rail reroute.

“At a minimum, St. Louis Park leaders and its legislators should have had a place at that meeting before an announcement was made,” said Jacobs in the letter. “The decision to re- evaluate options for rerouting freight traffic in St. Louis Park appears misguided. Study after study has concluded that there is not a viable option in St. Louis Park to reroute trains.”

Some students favor the reroute even with increased freight traffic. Senior Imara Hixon said she thinks the Light Rail will be convenient for students.

“For the kids who don’t live in St. Louis Park, it’s beneficial to take a train to school,” Hixon said. “It seems like an easier alternative than taking city buses.”

LaPray said she and the rest of the Safety in the Park members are frustrated the decision has been put off yet again.

“It’s just not right that they keep leading us on,” LaPray said. “It’s honestly disappointing.”