Property owners along the Central Corridor light rail line expected business disruptions during the construction, but now some say the work is physically damaging their buildings. But the Metropolitan Council and its contractor say cracks in foundations and facades of the old buildings are not necessarily the result of construction work.

The Met Council is rebranding the light rail system, which will be known as "Metro" once the Central Corridor starts up. Minnesota Public Radio says the Hiawatha line will be the "blue line." The Central Corridor will be the "green line." And the up-and-coming bus rapid transit routes on 35W and Cedar Avenue will be the orange and red lines.

Rescue crews put a harness on a construction worker and pulled him out of a hole he had just dug near the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul on Monday morning. He was taken to Regions Hospital with minor injuries.

Money for a light rail transit line connecting Minneapolis and its southwest suburbs was left out of the state-funded construction projects approved by the House. Backers of the line say federal funds for the project will be forfeited if the state fails to put up $25 million toward it.

The Minnesota Twins are negotiating a deal with Hennepin County to get a stake in a new light-rail transit hub near Target Field that connects the Hiawatha, Northstar and future Central Corridor lines, the Pioneer Press reports. The $79 million project also includes an entertainment plaza on the north side of the ballpark.

A health impact assessment (HIA) says the project to connect Minneapolis and St. Paul via light rail could potentially displace low income families near the corridor as rent rates climb. But added the long-term benefits include greater access to employment and medical facilities

On the busy Pride weekend in Loring Park, the Hiawatha light-rail line will be closed in downtown Minneapolis and replaced with buses. From 6:30 p.m. Friday until 3:30 a.m. Monday, Route 55 buses will run in place of the trains between the Target Field and Franklin Avenue stations because of maintenance, Metro Transit announced.

Buses will subsite the light rail route between Target Field and Franklin Avenue starting Friday evening. Metro Transit is warning commuters buses will take longer than the train. The light rail is expected to resume full service early Monday morning.