I-35W & 46th Street Transit Plan

In December 2010, Metro Transit restructured bus service in south Minneapolis, Bloomington, Richfield and Edina. Changes affected routes 11, 18, 46, 135, 146, 152, 156, 535, 558, 576, 578, 579 and 597.

Why restructure?

The route changes:

>>> allow reliable and convenient transfers between I-35W express buses and cross-town bus routes to provide faster service during non-rush hours

>>> speed travel to more destinations in the south and southwest suburbs

>>> move toward implementation of Bus Rapid Transit on I-35W in 2012

Prior Service

This area is primarily residential and has strong transit ridership. Buses served Washburn High School in south Minneapolis, Normandale Community College in Bloomington and large employers along I-494 in Bloomington/Richfield and along I-35W at Lake and 26th Street. A major Park & Ride lot is located at Knox Avenue, near Best Buy headquarters.

> See map of routes

Key changes in final plan

• maintains a no-transfer ride to downtown Minneapolis for 50th Street transit customers during rush hours

• provides faster service along I-35W during midday and evening hours

• allows Metro Transit to provide express service along I-35W more cost-effectively

• maintains 15-minute rush-hour service for downtown commuters from Knox Avenue Park & Ride

• improves rush-hour frequency along East 46th Street and East 42nd Street to every 15 minutes and along West 50th Street to every 7-8 minutes

> View a slideshow on the service plan (.ppt file - 2 MB)

> Map of Final Service Plan routes

> Overview of changes by route

> Watch a simulation of how buses will serve I-35W & 46th Street Station

> Plan a trip using the improved routes

Route Maps

> Route 11 — 4th Ave. / 46th St. / Washburn High School

> Route 18 — Grand Ave. / Nicollet Ave.

> Route 46 — 50th St. / 46th St. / 42nd St.

> Route 113 — Lyndale Ave. /  Grand Ave. / U of M (eff. 9/11/10)

> Route 135 — Grand Ave.

> Route 146 — 46th St. / Bryant Ave. / 50th St. / Vernon Ave.

> Route 152 — Southdale / France Ave. / 50th St. / Nicollet Ave. / U of M (replaced by routes 46/579)

> Route 156 — 56th St. / 60th St. / Lyndale Ave. S. / Diamond Lake Rd.

> Route 535 — Bloomington / Richfield / Minneapolis, via I-35W

> Route 558 — Penn Ave. S. / Lyndale Ave. S. / Diamond Lake Rd.

> Route 576 — 102nd St. / Knox Ave. Park & Ride / Lyndale Ave. / Penn Ave. / 66th St. (replaced by routes 535/558)

> Route 578 — York Ave. / Southdale

> Route 579 — Southdale / U of M via I-35W & 46th St. Station, I-35W & Lake St.

> Route 597 — Bloomington