Regional railroad authority

The Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority (HCRRA) was established in 1980 as a political subdivision and local government unit of Minnesota. It was established as a separate political entity to plan, design and implement light rail transit in Hennepin County. The Board of Commissioners for the authority consists of the seven members of the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners.

Meetings

The Regional Railroad Authority holds its regular meetings immediately following each regular County Board meeting (generally scheduled for Tuesday afternoons at 1:30 p.m.).

Meeting details, materials, and videos are on the board meetings webpage.  Questions about agenda items may be directed to the clerk at 612-348-3081 or board.clerk@hennepin.us.

Permits

Land use permits may be granted for certain non-exclusive uses of HCRRA land, such as minor utility installations, public events, landscaping improvements and more.

Permits will not be granted for storage, placement of equipment, structures such as fences and sheds, parking, dumping of waste — including landscaping waste or grass clippings — or patios or other impervious surfaces. HCRRA land should not be used for any of these items, nor should it be used for the storage of recreational equipment, motor vehicles, trailers or boats.

People with property adjacent to HCRRA land may request permits for landscaping improvements. Any improvements to HCRRA land must be approved by HCRRA and should focus on benefiting wildlife and pollinators and improving water quality.

Landscaping improvements should emphasize native plantings that have deep roots and are drought resistant, as well as trees and shrubs that provide shade and protection for wildlife habitats and reduce soil erosion. Ideally, landscaping should use different types of plantings, trees and shrubs to reduce disease risk, for seasonal interest and to enhance habitats. HCRRA can provide information about these improvements upon request at hcrra@hennepin.us.

Do not undertake any landscaping or other improvements until after receiving a permit. HCRRA may remove any unauthorized use at the violator’s expense.

Submit a permit request.

If you want to use Three Rivers Park District trails on HCRRA land, visit the park district to request a special use permit.

Budget

The 2026 HCRRA budget is $34.1 million, with a property tax levy of $34 million. The HCRRA seeks to improve rail modes of transportation to enhance mobility as a key part of our transportation system.

2026 budget

• Budget resolution (PDF, 1MB)
• Schedule I: Budget summary (PDF, 1MB)
• Schedule II: 2026 Capital Budget and 2026-2030 Capital Improvement Program (PDF, 2MB)
• Schedule III: Revenues by project (PDF, 1MB)

2025 budget

• Budget resolution (PDF, 1MB)
• Schedule I: Proposed budget summary (PDF, 1MB)
• Schedule II: 2025 Capital Budget and 2025-2029 Capital Improvement Program (PDF, 3MB)
• Schedule III: Revenues by project (PDF, 1MB)

2024 budget

• Budget resolution (PDF, 1MB)
• Budget summary (PDF, 1MB)

Corridors and trails

The Railroad Authority currently owns 40 miles of corridors and seven sites suitable for future park-and-rides, stations, or transit-oriented development.

The corridors include:

• The 12-mile Lake Minnetonka LRT Regional Trail
• The 8-mile Minnesota River Bluffs LRT Regional Trail
• The 5-mile Midtown Greenway Regional Trail
• The 2-mile Northeast Diagonal Trail
• The 13-mile Dakota Rail Trail

Although acquired for future transportation needs, recreational trails have been constructed on these corridors as an interim use. In 2008, with the construction of the Dakota Rail and Northeast Diagonal corridors, all 40 miles of corridors are under Permit Agreements allowing for recreational trails as an interim use.

About the Regional Railroad Authority

Partners

The authority collaborates with many government agencies and a variety of public and nonprofit partners to promote transit development and implement interim uses of rail corridors.

HCRRA-owned corridors have found popular interim uses as bicycle and pedestrian trails. The City of Minneapolis and Three Rivers Park District operate and maintain trails such as the Midtown Greenway Regional Trail in Minneapolis and the Dakota Rail Regional Trail which runs through seven municipalities in western Hennepin County.

Background

 When established in 1980, HCRRA's mission was to acquire abandoned railroad corridors in order to preserve them for future transportation use. Today, HCRRA continues this mission, as well as advocating, planning, and funding rail transportation corridors which will serve the county and the region. HCRRA is one of several regional railroad authorities in Minnesota.

As a unit of government, HCRRA has authority to establish levies to fund rail and bus rapid transit projects. HCRRA was a capital investment partner for the following projects:

• METRO Blue Line (Hiawatha LRT)
• METRO Green Line (Central Corridor LRT)
• METRO Green Line Extension (Southwest LRT)
• METRO Orange Line BRT
• METRO Blue Line Extension (Bottineau LRT)