The 11-mile light rail Metro Green Line corridor linking Minneapolis and St. Paul in the US, is scheduled to open on 14 June.
The project is being funded by Federal Transit Administration to link Union Depot in St. Paul’s Lowertown with the State Capitol complex, Midway, University of Minnesota and Target Field.
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Susan Haigh, chair of the Metropolitan Council that operates the light rail system, said: "Starting service 60 years to the month after the last streetcar left the Twin Cities is fitting.
"Seeing two vibrant downtowns and numerous job, education and medical centers, and tens of thousands of people connected by this project is the most exciting part."
The region’s second light rail line will connect to the Blue Line (Hiawatha) at Downtown East Station.
The project created 5,445 construction jobs, 177 permanent operations and maintenance jobs for downtown St. Paul and has encouraged over $1.7bn in development along the line.
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By GlobalDataSt. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce president Matt Kramer said: "The opening of the Green Line opens a new chapter in the storied history of the Twin Cities. Connecting the two downtowns, through the heart of the urban core, this line will spur economic development and provide dependable, consistent transit options in the years to come."
The opening will also help baseball fans to attend Major League Baseball’s all-star game at Target Field in July.
Project partners included The Federal Transit Administration and the Minnesota congressional delegation, Counties Transit Improvement Board, the State of Minnesota, Hennepin and Ramsey counties and the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul.
