Minnesota

5,829 photos · 2008–2026

5,829 photographs tagged Minnesota, 2008–2026.

Freight train alongside excavated Cedar Lake Trail during Southwest Light Rail construction in Minneapolis, August 2019. — The view of what was the Cedar Lake Trail seen from Burnham Road. The trail was ripped up during light rail construction that will bring a train from Eden Prairie to Minneapolis to St. Paul.

Rail yard with illuminated tracks beneath a highway overpass at sunset in Minneapolis, Minnesota. — This rail yard sits along Minnesota Highway 280, a short freeway connecting Interstate 94 to Interstate 35W between St. Paul and Minneapolis. The tracks below a switching area for freight traffic moving through the Twin Cities, with intermodal containers stored trackside for transfer between rail and truck.

Fifth Street Towers in downtown Minneapolis at night, with blue neon lighting on the cylindrical building. — Fifth Street Towers is a twin office tower complex at 100 and 150 South Fifth Street in downtown Minneapolis. Completed in 1982 and designed by the Minneapolis office of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, the complex includes a 38-story south tower and a 30-story north tower connected by a shared base and the city's enclosed skyway system.

Illuminated office buildings in downtown Minneapolis at dusk with lit windows across multiple facades. — The buildings of Downtown Minneapolis at night.

Nic on Fifth residential tower and downtown Minneapolis skyline at night with illuminated buildings. — Nic on Fifth is a residential high-rise at 40 South Ninth Street in downtown Minneapolis, completed in 2015 with 40 stories of apartments. It stands among the towers near Nicollet Mall, with downtown's office and residential buildings spreading out toward the horizon.

The Armory and Gold Medal Flour sign in Downtown Minneapolis — The Gold Medal Flour seen in the distance with the Minneapolis Armory in the foreground. The Armory is noiw a concert venue after being a parking garage for a long time.

Minneapolis skyway under construction between downtown buildings. — A Minneapolis skyway is under construction in downtown Minneapolis. The elevated pedestrian walkway connects buildings in the city’s enclosed skyway system, which links offices, shops, and transit access across the downtown core.

“Slippery When Wet” sign in a downtown Minneapolis parking garage. — A “Slippery When Wet” sign in a downtown Minneapolis parking garage.

Blue and red directional signs for Ramp B and Ramp A in a Minneapolis parking garage. — Directional signs for Ramp B and Ramp A mark entrances in a downtown Minneapolis parking garage. The signs access points from 5th Street and 5th Avenue, guiding vehicles to different levels of the structure. Painted in blue and red with directional arrows, the signage is typical of urban parking facilities designed to manage traffic flow and vehicle circulation.

Multi-story building under construction at South 6th and Fifth Street South in downtown Minneapolis at night. — Buildings under construction in downtown Minneapolis at South 6th Street and Fifth Street South.

Downtown Minneapolis skyline at dusk with the 10th Avenue Bridge spanning the Mississippi River below. — Built in 1929, the concrete arch bridge spans the river just downstream from Saint Anthony Falls. The Gold Medal Flour sign marks the old Washburn-Crosby mill complex, now home to the Mill City Museum.

The 10th Avenue Bridge spans the Mississippi River with downtown Minneapolis skyline and Capella Tower at sunset. — The 10th Avenue Bridge crosses the Mississippi River between the West Bank and the University of Minnesota's East Bank campus. Built in 1929, it's a concrete arch bridge carrying Tenth Avenue Southeast into downtown Minneapolis.

The Sporting House in downtown Minneapolis, a late 19th-century brick building. — The Sporting House in downtown Minneapolis was built circa 1889 on 11th Avenue. Historical records identify the brick building as a former brothel.

Cramer Tunnel entrance in Cramer, Minnesota, beneath a starry night sky. — Cramer Tunnel in Cramer, Minnesota, was an industrial railroad tunnel that operated from 1957 to 2001. It connected the LTV Steel taconite plant in Hoyt Lakes with the ore dock at Taconite Harbor.

Knife Falls Dam hydroelectric plant on the St. Louis River in Cloquet, Minnesota. — Knife Falls Dam in Cloquet, Minnesota. The hydroelectric plant at the dam generates 2.4 megawatts of power.

Storm clouds over Taconite Harbor, Minnesota, above Lake Superior shoreline vegetation — Storm clouds over Taconite Harbor, Minnesota, on the Lake Superior North Shore. The sky forms a broad shelf cloud above shoreline vegetation and the industrial waterfront.

Industrial power plant with coal storage, conveyor systems, and loading structures along Minnesota waterway. — The Taconite Harbor Energy Center is a power generation facility in Schroeder, Minnesota, located along a shipping waterway used for transporting bulk materials. The complex includes coal storage areas, conveyor systems, and elevated structures for loading operations. The facility serves the regional energy grid and industrial operations in northeastern Minnesota.

Harris Machinery Building in Minneapolis is braced with temporary steel supports during redevelopment. — The former Harris Machinery Building in Minneapolis's Prospect Park neighborhood is being stabilized during redevelopment for The Market at Malcolm Yards. Temporary steel bracing supports the brick structure while work continues on the site.

Tracks at Archer Daniels Midland Elevator — Train tracks outside the long abandoned massive concrete Archer-Daniels-Midland Delmar Elevator No. 7 in Minneapolis. Known locally as the "United Crushers" mill after the large tag visible from miles away.

Archer Daniels Midland Delmar Elevator No 7 — The long abandoned massive concrete Archer-Daniels-Midland Delmar Elevator No. 7 in Minneapolis. Known locally as the "United Crushers" mill after the large tag visible from miles away.

Overgrown lot with graffiti-covered container beside concrete grain silos at the former ADM elevator in Minneapolis — This site is part of the former Archer Daniels Midland grain elevator complex in the Prospect Park area near Dinkytown, Minneapolis. The concrete silo structures visible here were used for grain storage before the facility was decommissioned. Vegetation has grown into the surrounding lot, and a graffiti-covered shipping container and stockpiled fill material now occupy the adjacent grounds.

Unpaved construction path beneath highway overpass along Cedar Lake Trail during Metro Transit Green Line Extension project in — The Cedar Lake Trail shortly after it was ripped up during the Metro Transit Green Line Extension light rail project. The trail re-opened in 2025.

Mural by Cori Nakamura Lin and Tori Hong on Minneapolis's Midtown Greenway addressing housing affordability and renter statistics. — This mural, created by Cori Nakamura Lin and Tori Hong, is located on the Midtown Greenway in Minneapolis. The artwork addresses the issue of housing affordability, highlighting statistics about renters spending a significant portion of their income on housing and the disproportionate impact of evictions on low-income communities and communities of color. The Midtown Greenway is a 5.7-mile paved rail trail that runs through the city, serving as a vital corridor for cyclists and pedestrians.

Fenced pathway along Kenilworth Trail in Minneapolis during Southwest Light Rail construction in 2019. — The Kenilworth Trail construction seen on July 23, 2019. The trail was closed for years

Tree-lined path on Kenilworth Trail in Minneapolis during Southwest light rail construction in July 2019. — Trees being cleared out on the Kenilworth Trail in Minneapolis during Metro Transit Green Line light rail construction.

"Renter Power!" mural on a concrete retaining wall beneath the Midtown Greenway bridge in Minneapolis. — A mural proclaiming "Renter Power!" is visible on a concrete retaining wall beneath a bridge along the Midtown Greenway in Minneapolis. The Midtown Greenway is a 5.7-mile-long multi-use trail built on a former railroad corridor, popular with cyclists and pedestrians. The mural's message reflects advocacy for tenant rights and affordable housing.

Cedar Lake Trail ripped up during train construction — The Cedar Lake Trail in the early days of the METRO Green Line Extension light rail project. The new line will connect Eden Prairie to St Paul.

Cedar Lake Regional Trail Light Rail Construction — Ripped up Cedar Lake Trail during the METRO Green Line Extension construction. Seen in Juily 2019.

Cedar Lake Trail closing over Minehaha Creek — The bridge over Minnehaha Creek on the Cedar Lake Trail during Metro Green Line Extension construction.

Bde Maka Ska Baseball Field in Minneapolis, an overgrown baseball field with a flooded infield. — Bde Maka Ska Baseball Field in Minneapolis is overgrown and waterlogged, with the infield partially submerged. The field sits beside trees and park benches near the edge of Bde Maka Ska parkland.

Aerial view of multi-lane traffic on Excelsior Boulevard near Lake Street, Minneapolis. — Excelsior Boulevard carries multiple lanes of traffic near the Lake Street intersection in Minneapolis. The aerial view shows the street's configuration with parking areas and green space adjacent to the roadway.

Minneapolis downtown skyline rises beyond Bde Maka Ska and Lake of the Isles in the Chain of Lakes park system. — Bde Maka Ska and Lake of the Isles are two of the Minneapolis Chain of Lakes, joined by a channel. Bde Maka Ska is the largest lake in Minneapolis at about 401 acres, while Lake of the Isles covers about 108 acres.

Paved trail winds through dense deciduous forest with mature trees lining both sides. — The Kenilworth Trail runs through the Kenilworth corridor connecting the Chain of Lakes area with downtown Minneapolis, following a former rail right-of-way once used by freight lines. The paved path is shared by pedestrians and cyclists and links to the regional Grand Rounds trail network. The corridor has long been the subject of planning debate as the proposed route for the Southwest Light Rail Transit extension of the Metro Green Line, with construction requiring the trail to be rerouted and rebuilt in sections alongside the new rail line.

Grove construction crane and equipment on railroad tracks along the Kenilworth Trail in Minneapolis. — The Kenilworth Trail follows a former Milwaukee Road rail corridor connecting Minneapolis's Cedar Lake and Lake of the Isles areas to Hopkins. The corridor has been used for freight rail, bike and pedestrian paths, and is the planned route for the Metro Green Line Extension light rail. Construction crews have used the rail line for staging materials, including ties and ballast, during the extension's preliminary work. A Grove mobile crane, commonly used for lifting rail and bridge components, appears among the equipment staged along the tracks.

Orange safety fencing installed along Kenilworth Trail during Metro Green Line Extension construction in Minneapolis. — The Kenilworth Trail runs alongside active freight and light-rail tracks through the Kenilworth Corridor, a narrow strip of land connecting the Chain of Lakes to downtown Minneapolis. The corridor has long carried both recreational trail traffic and rail lines, a dual use that predates the current Green Line Extension project. Construction fencing here marks work tied to that extension, which is adding light-rail tracks through the same shared right-of-way used by the trail and freight rail. The project has required temporary trail reroutes and vegetation clearing along sections of the corridor during construction.

Deteriorated wooden bridge spanning Cedar Lake channel alongside Burnham Trail in Minneapolis during Green Line Extension — The bridge over the Cedar Lake/Lake of the Isles channel in Minneapolis. The bridge was removed and replaced during construction of the Metro Transit Green Line Extension.

The trail just after closure — A freight train travels down the freight rails during the early days of the Metro Green Line Extension project.

Kenilworth Trail Bridge Deconstruction — Kenilworth trail bridge over the Cedar Lake to Lake of the Isles channel being dismantled during Metro Green Line Extension construction.

Yellow Grove mobile crane on Kenilworth Trail in Minneapolis during Southwest LRT construction. — This Grove RT600E rough-terrain crane, operated by C.S. McCrossan, was staged along the Kenilworth Trail during construction of Metro Transit's Southwest LRT Green Line Extension. The crane can lift up to 60 tons and extend a boom beyond 100 feet, making it suited for setting bridge and tunnel components along the corridor. The Kenilworth corridor carries freight rail and a recreational trail between the Chain of Lakes and downtown Minneapolis, and became a major staging area for the light-rail line's tunnel and bridge work. C.S. McCrossan, a Minnesota-based heavy civil contractor, has worked on multiple segments of the Southwest LRT project.

Excavated construction site along Kenilworth Trail with brick building and modern apartment tower in Minneapolis. — Construction on the area that was the Kenilworth Trail that connected the Midtown Greenway with the Cedar Lake Trail. The trail was closed for years for construction of the new Metro Transit Green Line Light Rail line.

Girl in an abandoned mine shaft opening — This natural rock formation, resembling an abandoned mine entrance, is located in the Black Hills region of South Dakota. The area has a rich history of mining, particularly for gold and other precious metals, which began in the late 19th century. While this specific opening may not have been a functional mine shaft, its geological structure and the surrounding landscape are indicative of the mineral-rich environment that attracted prospectors. Today, such formations are often explored for their natural beauty and geological interest, offering a glimpse into the region's past and its enduring appeal.

Abandoned gold mine entrance carved into a rocky hillside in the Black Hills, South Dakota. — This abandoned mine entrance in the Black Hills of South Dakota is a relic of the region's 19th-century gold rush. Carved into the hillside, likely by hand or with early blasting techniques, the opening once led to mineral-rich veins sought for gold, silver, and iron sulfides.

Downtown Minneapolis skyline at dusk with the IDS Center and Foshay Tower illuminated above Interstate 94. — The IDS Center and Foshay Tower stand above Interstate 94 in downtown Minneapolis. The IDS Center, completed in 1972, is 792 feet tall, the tallest building in Minnesota. The Foshay Tower, finished in 1929 and modeled after the Washington Monument, held that title until the IDS Center surpassed it.

The Pillsbury's Best flour mill sign glows red atop a historic brick mill building in Minneapolis at sunset. — The Pillsbury A-Mill, a former flour mill on the Mississippi River in Minneapolis, Minnesota, was once the world's largest flour mill for four decades. Completed in 1881, it utilized two powerful 1,200-horsepower waterwheels. Recognized as a National Historic Landmark in 1966, the structure has since been repurposed into resident artist lofts.

Pedestrians walk on the Stone Arch Bridge with an orange railing, overlooking stone foundation and Minneapolis grain silos. — The Stone Arch Bridge in Minneapolis, Minnesota, spans the Mississippi River. Originally constructed in 1883 by the St. Paul & Minneapolis Railroad. Today it's a pedestrian walkway and bicycle path.

Leder Bros. Scrap Metal Recycling building in Minneapolis with exterior signs and security cameras — Leder Bros. Scrap Metal Recycling is located at 3240 in Minneapolis. The building has painted and mounted signs for the receiving office and scrap metal recycling operation, along with surveillance cameras on the exterior. Its brick and block construction is typical of utilitarian industrial buildings from the mid-20th century.

Illuminated mulch piles steam on the Midtown Greenway during Metro Transit light rail construction in Minneapolis. — Steaming mulch seen on the Midtown Greenway during Metro Transit's light rail construction work.

Burnham Trail in Minneapolis closed for Southwest LRT light rail construction, June 2019. — The Burnham Trail portion of the Kenilworth Trail in Minneapolis. Photo taken in June 2019 after the trail closed in preparation for the Southwest LRT light rail construction.

An electrical outlet in an abandoned warehouse in Hopkins, Minnesota, a remnant of its industrial past. — An electrical outlet is visible in the foreground of an abandoned warehouse in Hopkins, Minnesota. Warehouses like this were once vital centers for industry and commerce, supporting manufacturing, storage, and distribution operations. The presence of such infrastructure highlights the area's past economic activity and the subsequent changes that have led to the abandonment of these large industrial spaces. This particular outlet, though now disused, represents the essential services that powered the building's original purpose.

A John Deere feller buncher sits at the Southwest LRT construction site in St. Louis Park, Minnesota, used for clearing trees for the new transit line. — A John Deere feller buncher, a heavy-duty forestry machine, is parked at the Southwest Light Rail Transit (LRT) construction site in St. Louis Park, Minnesota.

Cedar Lake Trail Closes at Cedar Lake Parkway — Closure of Cedar Lake Trail at Cedar Lake Parkway as part of the Metro Transit Green Line Extension construction.

Cedar Lake Trail Closes in June 2019 — Kenilworth Trail n Minneapolis prior to major light rail construction.

Construction equipment and excavation site at Louisiana Avenue light rail station in St. Louis Park, Minnesota. — Metro Transit Louisiana Avenue Green Line Light Rail station prior to construction.

John Deere 843L feller buncher clearing vegetation for Southwest Light Rail Transit construction in St. Louis Park, Minnesota. — A John Deere 843L feller buncher sits parked near the railway tracks in St. Louis Park, Minnesota, during the early stages of construction for the Southwest Light Rail Transit (LRT) project. Designed primarily for forestry work, this heavy-duty machine—with its massive front grapple and thick treaded tires—was adapted for clearing brush and trees along the rail corridor.

Daymark Apartments under construction in Uptown Minneapolis, with a crane and cars passing in front. — Daymark Apartments is under construction in Uptown Minneapolis in June 2019. The multi-story wood-frame apartment building rises above a podium level wrapped in green sheathing, with a tower crane and an aerial lift visible over the site.

Dinkytown Greenway bike trail in Minneapolis at dusk, with downtown skyline illuminated in the background. — The Dinkytown Greenway is a paved bike and pedestrian trail built along a former Burlington Northern rail line, running beneath historic stone railroad bridges near the University of Minnesota.

New Fencing On Cedar Lake Trail — New fencing going up on the Cedar Lake Trail in Minneapolis. The fencing is part of the beginning of construction on the new Metro Green Line Extension light rail project.

Cedar Lake Trail at Kenwood Trail — Kenwood Trail exit sign on the Cedar Lake Trail in the early days of the Metro Transit Green Line Extension construction.

Downtown Minneapolis skyline at night with Target Plaza South, Campbell Mithun Tower, and Foshay Tower. — Downtown Minneapolis skyline at night includes Target Plaza South, the Campbell Mithun Tower, and the Foshay Tower. Target Plaza South houses Target’s corporate headquarters, while the Foshay Tower is a 1929 Art Deco skyscraper that was once the city’s tallest building. The Campbell Mithun Tower stands nearby in the city’s central business district.

US Bank Stadium at Night Minneapolis Minnesota — U.S. Bank Stadium, home to the NFL's Minnesota Vikings, is a multi-purpose arena in downtown Minneapolis that opened in 2016. Designed by HKS Architects, its distinctive angular exterior is clad in brick and glass, with a translucent ETFE roof that allows natural light during the day and reflects ambient city light at night. The stadium's design, inspired by the prow of a Viking ship, replaced the former Metrodome and serves as a significant venue for sporting events, concerts, and conventions, anchoring the eastern edge of the Minneapolis skyline.

US Bank Stadium in Downtown East Minneapolis — US Bank Stadium, located in the Downtown East neighborhood of Minneapolis, Minnesota, is a multi-purpose indoor stadium that opened in 2016. It serves as the home venue for the National Football League's Minnesota Vikings and also hosts concerts, conventions, and other sporting events. Its construction replaced the Metrodome, providing a modern facility for professional sports and large-scale public gatherings in the Twin Cities.

Minneapolis City Hall's illuminated clock tower and green copper roof rise above the downtown skyline at night. — Minneapolis City Hall’s clock tower rises above downtown Minneapolis at night. The historic building was completed in 1909.

Kenilworth Trail detour with stop sign and construction barriers during Southwest Light Rail construction in Minneapolis. — The Kenilworth Trail at the Midtoiwn Greeenway pictured in June 2019.

511 Building, the Minnesota Technology Center in Downtown Minneapolis — The 511 Building, also known as the Minnesota Technology Center, stands on the eastern edge of downtown Minneapolis near Interstate 94. Constructed in the 1980s, the low-rise complex was designed for large-scale telecommunications and data operations. The building has been renovated and updated over time and remains in use as a data center and colocation facility.

Construction of the Thrivent Financial campus in downtown Minneapolis — Construction of the Thrivent Financial campus in downtown Minneapolis is underway, with the company's existing building visible alongside the new structure. The project, which began in 2018, is designed to consolidate Thrivent's operations into a single, modern facility. The new building features a distinctive glass facade and is situated adjacent to the historic Milwaukee Road Depot, a landmark of Minneapolis's transportation history.

A trail detour sign in Minneapolis directs cyclists and pedestrians around Southwest LRT construction. The sign shows rerouted paths for the Cedar Lake Trail and Kenilworth Corridor. — A "Trail Detour" sign provides navigation for cyclists and pedestrians around construction for the Southwest Light Rail Transit (SWLRT) project in Minneapolis. The map details rerouted paths, indicating temporary closures along popular routes like the Cedar Lake Trail and the Kenilworth Corridor.

Cedar Lake South Beach in Minneapolis offers a sandy shoreline with trees and calm water under evening light. — Cedar Lake South Beach sits on the south shore of Cedar Lake in Minneapolis, one of the city's Chain of Lakes. The lake covers about 170 acres and reaches 51 feet at its deepest point, with a sandy swimming beach on this side and a mostly wooded shoreline elsewhere around it.

Washington Avenue Bridge spans the Mississippi River with the University of Minnesota campus visible beyond. — The Washington Avenue Bridge spans the Mississippi River, linking the University of Minnesota's East and West Bank campuses. Completed in 1965, it carries vehicles, pedestrians, and light rail on two levels, with the enclosed upper deck reserved for foot traffic between classes.

Bruininks Hall, a modern glass building with cylindrical tower, overlooks the Mississippi River gorge on the University of Minnesota campus near the Washington Avenue Bridge. — Bruininks Hall sits on the University of Minnesota's East Bank campus, perched at the edge of the Mississippi River gorge near the Washington Avenue Bridge. The building opened in 2000 as the University Gateway Center and was renamed in 2017 to honor Robert Bruininks, who served as university president from 2002 to 2011. It houses several student-facing offices, including admissions, financial aid, and academic advising, consolidating services once scattered across campus.

Minneapolis skyline with IDS Center and surrounding buildings mirrored in foggy Bde Maka Ska at night. — The Minneapolis skyline, including prominent structures such as the IDS Center, Capella Tower, and Wells Fargo Center, is reflected in the calm waters of Bde Maka Ska on a foggy night.

Abandoned railroad bridge on Nicollet Island crosses the Mississippi River in Minneapolis. — The abandoned railroad bridge on Nicollet Island in Minneapolis crosses the Mississippi River on a former freight spur. Built to connect industrial facilities near the river, it now stands as a remnant of the city’s rail and milling era.

Target headquarters collaborative lounge and corridor in Minneapolis. — Target Corporation headquarters in Minneapolis includes this collaborative lounge and corridor designed for informal meetings and shared work. The interior uses open seating areas, long communal tables, and a curved ceiling treatment to create a flexible workplace setting. It is part of Target’s headquarters campus in the city.

The "Sneaky Pete's" bar and "Dreamgirls" nightclub are visible on N 5th Street in downtown Minneapolis, part of the city's entertainment district. — The "Sneaky Pete's" bar and "Dreamgirls" nightclub are visible on N 5th Street in downtown Minneapolis. Sneaky Pete's, advertised as an "Ultimate Fun Bar + Grill," and Dreamgirls, a nightclub, are part of the entertainment district in this area of the city. The surrounding buildings showcase a mix of architectural styles, reflecting the development of Minneapolis over time. This block of N 5th Street has historically been a hub for nightlife and entertainment.

Minneapolis Main Post Office service window in downtown Minneapolis. — Minneapolis Main Post Office in downtown Minneapolis features an Art Deco service window installed in the building’s 1933 lobby. The federal post office was designed by Léon Eugene Arnal and serves the city’s central business district.

Aerial view of light rail construction equipment crossing railroad tracks at Green Line and Beltline Boulevard in St. Louis Park. — Beltline Boulevard crosses a freight rail corridor in St. Louis Park, Minnesota, just west of Minneapolis. The tracks here run through the Southwest LRT corridor, part of the route being rebuilt for the METRO Green Line Extension connecting downtown Minneapolis to Eden Prairie.

Yellow railroad maintenance vehicle operates on light rail tracks during Southwest LRT construction in St. Louis Park. — The Southwest LRT, also known as the Green Line Extension, is a light rail project extending Metro Transit's existing Green Line roughly 14.5 miles from Minneapolis through St. Louis Park, Hopkins, Minnetonka, and Eden Prairie. Construction has required extensive work on existing freight rail corridors, including track realignment and maintenance to accommodate shared and adjacent rail lines. The project is being built and overseen by the Metropolitan Council, with completion delayed multiple times past its original targeted opening.

Workers install new rail tracks for the Metro Transit Green Line Extension in St. Louis Park. — Crews working the Southwest LRT line in St. Louis Park use a rail loader car, a flatbed-mounted machine that threads long steel rails off a train and positions them along the roadbed for installation. The Southwest LRT, known operationally as the Green Line Extension, is a Metropolitan Council project extending light rail service roughly 14.5 miles from Minneapolis through St. Louis Park, Hopkins, Minnetonka, and Eden Prairie. The line runs largely along former freight corridors, requiring extensive new track construction rather than simple conversion of existing rail. Rail-loading equipment like this allows crews to deliver continuous welded rail sections directly to the grade, reducing the need for separate hauling and placement steps during construction.

Long train of empty freight cars lined up on railroad tracks beside green spring vegetation. — The Metro Transit Green Line Extension, also known as the Southwest Light Rail Transit project, is a roughly 14.5-mile light rail line under construction between Minneapolis and Eden Prairie, Minnesota. It extends the existing Green Line, which opened in 2014 and links downtown Minneapolis with downtown St. Paul. Building the line requires delivering continuous welded rail in long sections, typically hauled on specialized flatcars like the ones pictured here. Metro Transit, the regional transit authority for the Twin Cities, is overseeing construction and will operate the completed extension.

Millennium Mills and Trinity House Lightship 93 at Royal Victoria Dock, London — Millennium Mills stands on the south side of the Royal Victoria Dock in Silvertown, London, beside Trinity House Lightship 93. The former Spillers flour mill was built in 1905 and later closed in the 1980s. The lightship is moored at the dock edge in front of the derelict mill buildings.

Lyndale Avenue at night in Minneapolis, viewed from I-94, showing traffic and distant church spires. — Lyndale Avenue in Minneapolis is a significant thoroughfare that connects the city's downtown core with its western neighborhoods. The avenue, seen here from Interstate 94, is shown heading South.

Interstate 94 at night, cutting through downtown Minneapolis. The highway connects the city core with suburbs and facilitates regional commerce. — Interstate 94 cuts through downtown Minneapolis at night. This major artery, completed in stages from the 1960s through the 1980s, was designed to connect the city's core with surrounding suburbs and facilitate regional commerce. The highway's construction significantly altered the urban fabric of Minneapolis, influencing development patterns and transportation habits. Today, I-94 remains a critical component of the Twin Cities' transportation network, serving millions of vehicles annually and shaping the city's economic and social geography.

Dean Parkway Apartments, early 20th-century brick buildings in South Minneapolis, at dusk. — The Dean Parkway Apartments, located in South Minneapolis, are a collection of multi-story brick buildings constructed in the early 20th century. These apartment buildings represent a common architectural style of the era, designed to provide housing in a growing urban environment. The complex continues to serve as residential housing, offering apartments to residents of the city. The photograph was taken in April 2019, showcasing the buildings at dusk.

Metro Transit light rail tracks curve past Riverside Plaza in Minneapolis’s Cedar-Riverside neighborhood. — Metro Transit light rail tracks by Riverside Plaza in Minneapolis’s Cedar-Riverside neighborhood. Riverside Plaza is a large housing complex along the light rail corridor near Interstate 35W. The tracks curve through the area south of downtown Minneapolis.

Riverside Plaza and the Light Rail Tracks — Riverside Plaza stands tall beyond the METRO Blue Line overpass in the Cedar–Riverside district of Minneapolis. The colorful panels of the 1970s residential towers contrast with the new mid-rise apartments and light rail infrastructure built decades later.

Riverside Plaza and Light Rail tracks April 2019 — The METRO Blue Line curves toward downtown Minneapolis near the Cedar–Riverside neighborhood, passing below the colorful concrete towers of Riverside Plaza at sunset. The complex, designed by architect Ralph Rapson and completed in 1973, is one of the city’s most distinctive examples of Brutalist modernism.

Minneapolis downtown skyline at twilight, viewed from Cedar Lake Trail with illuminated office towers against a deep blue sky. — Downtown Minneapolis's skyscrapers stand along the Cedar Lake Trail, including the IDS Center and Capella Tower. The IDS Center, completed in 1972, is Minnesota's tallest building at 792 feet.

BNSF Railway locomotive number 8005 passes Harrison Street crossing in Northeast Minneapolis at sunset. — A BNSF Railway locomotive passes the Harrison Street crossing in Northeast Minneapolis. The crossing is part of the rail corridor that runs through the neighborhood near the Mississippi River.

North Cedar Lake Trail, St. Louis Park, MN. — North Cedar Lake trail in St. Louis Park, Minnesota.

Riverside Plaza Cedar HIgh Apartments Minneapolis — Riverside Plaza and Cedar High Apartments stand illuminated against the twilight sky in Minneapolis’ Cedar-Riverside neighborhood. Completed in the 1970s and designed by architect Ralph Rapson, the complex is one of the city’s most distinctive examples of modernist architecture. Its colorful paneling and Brutalist concrete forms house one of the most diverse communities in the region, symbolizing both urban renewal and the evolution of affordable housing in the Twin Cities.

Minneapolis downtown skyline at dusk, viewed from South Minneapolis with illuminated buildings and residential rooflines in foreground. — Downtown Minneapolis's skyline stands beyond the rooftops of South Minneapolis.

A temporary Ferris wheel illuminates Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis during the 2019 NCAA Final Four fan festival. — Nicollet Mall is downtown Minneapolis's main shopping street, a pedestrian and transit mall that opened in 1967 and was rebuilt in 2015–2017. A temporary Ferris wheel stands on the mall in April 2019 as part of the Tip-Off Tailgate, a fan festival tied to the NCAA Men's Final Four at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Illuminated Ferris wheel installed on Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis during the 2019 NCAA Final Four. — Nicollet Mall is downtown Minneapolis's main shopping street, a pedestrian mall that opened in 1967 and was rebuilt in 2015–2017. A temporary Ferris wheel stands on the mall in April 2019 for the NCAA Final Four.

A colorful illuminated Ferris wheel stands on Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis during the 2019 NCAA Final Four. — A Ferris wheel was set up on Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis for the 2019 NCAA Final Four, part of the fan festivities held around the men's basketball championship that April.

Illuminated Ferris wheel with blue neon spokes installed downtown Minneapolis for the 2019 NCAA Final Four tournament. — A temporary Ferris wheel was set up on Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis for Final Four Fan Fest events tied to the 2019 NCAA Men's Final Four. The tournament's championship games were played at U.S. Bank Stadium that April, with related fan activities held throughout downtown.

Pho Tau Bay and the Laundromat on Nicollet Avenue in South Minneapolis. — Pho Tau Bay and the Laundromat on Nicollet Avenue in South Minneapolis. The businesses occupy adjoining storefronts along the commercial corridor.

Excavated earth and traffic on Interstate 35W construction site near downtown Minneapolis skyline. — Interstate 35W underwent major reconstruction near downtown Minneapolis during this period. The project involved extensive earthwork and roadway modifications, with excavated material staged alongside the highway corridor. The construction activity was visible from multiple vantage points throughout the downtown area, marking a significant infrastructure undertaking in the city's transportation network.

Interstate 35W construction site in downtown Minneapolis at dusk, with the Foshay Tower and illuminated skyline in the background. — Interstate 35W construction on the south edge of downtown Minneapolis is framed by the central business district, including the Foshay Tower and the Hilton Garden Inn.

Raspberry Island Bandshell and Wabasha Street Bridge at Night — The Schubert Club Bandshell on Raspberry Island, illuminated along the Mississippi River in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Completed in 2002, the modern arched performance structure serves as an outdoor music venue with views toward the historic Wabasha Street Bridge, visible in the background. The bridge, originally built in 1859 and reconstructed in 1998, is known as the only true vertical align arch bridge over the Mississippi. Its decorative architectural lighting reflects across the water alongside the flooded riverbank, highlighting how the river’s seasonal water levels shape the island landscape. Raspberry Island has long served as a gathering space and riverfront access point, evolving from a railroad landing to a cultural park and performance venue.

Illuminated downtown Minneapolis office and residential towers rise above a still water feature near Nicollet Mall at night. — Downtown Minneapolis's towers rise near Nicollet Mall, including Capella Tower and the Fifth Street Towers, among office buildings and residential high-rises built up in the 2000s and 2010s.

A welder works inside a large cylindrical structure during the replacement of a water tank at the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. — A welder works inside a large cylindrical structure at the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center (HERC) in Minneapolis, Minnesota. This facility, which began operation in 1989, processes waste to generate electricity for the local grid. The ongoing work involves the replacement of a water tank, a critical component for the plant's cooling and operational systems. The HERC plays a significant role in waste management and energy production for the Twin Cities metropolitan area.

8500 Tower in Bloomington, Minnesota, rises above the Normandale Lake area at night. — 8500 Tower in Bloomington, Minnesota, stands at 8500 Normandale Lake and is the city’s tallest building. The office tower is a prominent high-rise in the Normandale Lake area.

AT&T Tower lobby at 901 Marquette Avenue in downtown Minneapolis. — AT&T Tower at 901 Marquette Avenue in downtown Minneapolis. The renovated lobby includes a security desk and seating area for office tenants and visitors.

Freight train with graffiti parked beside Old Main Heating Plant in Minneapolis during winter. — These hopper cars sit on tracks running past the University of Minnesota's Old Main Heating Plant, which has long supplied steam heat to the East Bank campus through a network of underground tunnels. Across the Mississippi River, the Gold Medal Flour sign marks the site of the former Washburn-Crosby mill complex, once among the largest flour-milling operations in the world and the namesake of General Mills. The rail corridor along this stretch of river served Minneapolis's milling district for more than a century, moving grain in and flour out to markets across the country.

Bench in Father Hennepin Bluff Park beside snow and open water in Northeast Minneapolis. — Father Hennepin Bluff Park in Northeast Minneapolis, with a bench beside a snow-covered area near open water. The park sits along the Mississippi River and offers views toward downtown Minneapolis.

Interstate 35W exit signs for Hiawatha Ave, 11th Ave, and Washington Ave in Minneapolis. — Interstate 35W exit signs in Minneapolis direct traffic to Hiawatha Avenue, 11th Avenue, and Washington Avenue. The guide signs also reference Interstate 94 and Minnesota State Highway 55 at Exit 17.

Third Avenue Bridge crosses the Mississippi River with the Gold Medal Flour sign and downtown Minneapolis skyline illuminated at dusk. — The Third Avenue Bridge crosses the Mississippi River just downstream from Saint Anthony Falls, linking downtown Minneapolis to the university area to the east. Completed in 1918, it's a concrete arch span designed by engineer Kristoffer Olsen Oustad with a slight curve to fit the site's geology. Below it, the Lower St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dam helps vessels pass the falls, while the Gold Medal Flour sign, raised above the old Washburn-Crosby mill site in 1908, still marks the skyline behind it.

Construction of new parking ramps at MSP Airport in Bloomington, MN — Parking ramp construction at Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport in Bloomington, Minnesota, shows a multi-level concrete structure under active assembly with formwork, rebar, temporary weather protection, and a tower crane on site. The project expands airport parking capacity near the terminal area.

MSP Airport 2019 Construction of Parking Garage — A parking ramp under construction at Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport in Bloomington, Minnesota, in March 2019.

Construction of a new parking garage at MSP Airport in Bloomington, Minnesota, proceeds at night with cranes and concrete framework visible amidst snow. — Construction of a new parking garage at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) is underway.

A sign offering crisis hotline information is posted on a parking ramp at MSP Airport in Bloomington, Minnesota, with airport construction visible in the background. — A crisis hotline sign is posted on the upper level of a parking ramp at Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport in Bloomington, Minnesota. The sign directs people in crisis to call 911 and lists the National Lifeline, a TTY number, and a statewide crisis hotline.

Minneapolis St Paul Airport in March 2019 — Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport in Bloomington, Minnesota, is shown at night in March 2019, with terminal structures in the foreground and airfield lighting extending across the snow-covered apron and runways.

MSP Airport Construction in Winter 2019 St Paul — Parking ramp construction at Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport in Bloomington, Minnesota, is shown beside a terminal roadway in March 2019. The project expanded airport parking capacity with a multi-level concrete structure under active construction, including a spiral vehicle ramp and tower crane operating above the site.

Third Avenue Bridge in Minneapolis spans the frozen Mississippi River near downtown. — Third Avenue Bridge in Minneapolis spans the Mississippi River near downtown. The bridge connects the city’s riverfront with the downtown area over the river. In winter, the river below is often covered with ice during periods of extreme cold.

Inside the Fifth Street Towers skyway — The skyway connecting the Soo Line Apartments to the Fifth Street Towers. The skyway is part of the large Minneapolis Skyway System.

Inside the Canadian Pacific Plaza Skyway Minneapolis — Located at 120 South 6th St, the 28 story Canadian Pacific Plaza was the tallest building in Minneapolis built in the 1960s.

Fifth Street Towers skyway entrance in downtown Minneapolis with wood-paneled walls and lit planters. — Inside the Fifth Street Towers in Downtown Minneapolis.

Roof of the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center — Inside the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center (HERC) in downtown Minneapolis. Operated by Hennepin County, the facility began service in 1989 and processes hundreds of thousands of tons of trash each year, burning refuse to generate steam and electricity for the local grid.

HERC Control Room Monitoring, Minneapolis — Operators monitor facility systems from a control room inside the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center (HERC) in Minneapolis. Wall-mounted screens display live camera feeds from across the plant, including the waste bunker and combustion areas, allowing staff to track material flow and equipment conditions in real time. Control panels and logs are used to manage burn rates, steam production, and electrical output, ensuring stable operation of the waste-to-energy process. Operated by Hennepin County since 1989, the facility relies on centralized monitoring like this to coordinate daily operations and maintain safety across the plant.

HERC Turbine Hall Operations Floor — The turbine hall at the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center (HERC) in Minneapolis houses control panels, steam piping, and generator equipment that convert heat from burned municipal waste into electricity. High-pressure steam is routed from the boilers through insulated lines into turbines, with control systems monitoring output and maintaining stable operation. Overhead cranes and access platforms support maintenance of large components within the hall. In operation since 1989 and run by Hennepin County, the facility integrates waste processing with power generation and district energy service for downtown Minneapolis.

HERC Turbine Generator Hall — A turbine generator housing and connected high-pressure steam line are seen inside the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center (HERC) in Minneapolis. Steam produced from burning municipal solid waste is directed through insulated piping into turbines like this, where it is converted into electricity for the local grid. The enclosed generator units help reduce noise and protect critical components, while adjacent piping and supports manage the flow and pressure of steam across the system. Operating since 1989 under Hennepin County, the facility integrates waste processing with energy production to serve downtown Minneapolis.

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