Section of light rail closed this weekend

Photo by Andrew Ciscel

If you were planning to take the light rail out to the airport or Mall of America this weekend, think again. The light rail will be shut down between the 46th Street Station and the Mall of America.

The section will be closed from 11 p.m. Friday to 3:30 a.m. Monday. Buses will replace the light rail along the route. The rest of the route will run as usual.

Metro Transit says the buses will run more frequently than the weekend trains, but the trips are longer. You'll be taking the 55 bus along the closed route.

The construction includes lengthening rail platforms for three-car trains and some other upgrades. Why they didn't build for three-car trains in the first place is another question.