Arterial BRT Plan Process
Step 4: Prioritize – select the J, K, and L lines
Starting from the technical evaluation results, Metro Transit reviewed each corridor for readiness and overall fit within the transit network. This review considered three questions:
- How compatible are current and future roadway conditions with arterial BRT infrastructure and service?
- How well does each corridor fit within the existing and planned transit network?
- Are there major unanswered questions about the arterial BRT corridor alignment?
Based on this review, Metro Transit recommends the West 7th Street corridor as the METRO J Line, and the Nicollet Corridor as the METRO K Line.
Additional study is needed to identify the METRO L Line from a set of three candidate corridors. This will be complete by the end of 2026.
Read Technical Memo 4 to learn more about the prioritization process and selection of the J Line and K Line.
Step 3: Evaluate – 11 corridors ranked based on technical evaluation
In November, Metro Transit completed the evaluation step. Each advanced corridor was developed in more detail, including concept station locations and concept service plans. Advanced corridors were evaluated and ranked based on detailed technical evaluation criteria assessing their potential success as an arterial BRT line.
Corridors included in this evaluation included the 10 corridors advanced for additional consideration in Step 2: Screen and an additional corridor: West 7th Street. A total of 11 corridors were considered in the technical evaluation step.
Read Technical Memo 3 to learn more about the technical evaluation process and the technical ranking of the corridors under consideration.
West 7th Street Corridor
Metro Transit has been working with project partners on a new multimodal concept in the West 7th Street Corridor, including a more substantial investment in bus rapid transit.
The City of St. Paul announced in October 2025 that this concept is no longer moving forward, as project partners were unable to reach agreement on a funding plan for this coordinated concept. You can learn more about this work at the project website.
As an outcome of this work, Metro Transit has added this corridor for consideration in the Arterial BRT Plan Update.
Step 2: Screen – 10 corridors advanced for additional consideration
This summer, Metro Transit applied screening criteria to the initial candidate corridors to narrow down to the 10 most promising corridors to consider in more detail as the next arterial BRT lines. Corridors were screened based on how well they aligned with the plan goals:
- Build on success to grow ridership by investing in arterial BRT where people use transit the most
- Advance equity and reduce regional disparities in access to opportunities
- Balance expanded arterial BRT investment with available resources
- Grow a network that connects transit-supportive land uses and supports all-day, all-purpose travel
Read Technical Memo 2 to learn more about the corridor screening process and the 10 corridors under additional consideration.
Step 1: Identify – 17 initial candidate corridors identified
This spring, Metro Transit identified 17 initial candidate corridors for consideration as the next arterial BRT lines. These corridors were chosen from:
- Corridors identified as good candidates for arterial BRT from past BRT planning efforts
- Existing high frequency, high ridership local routes
- Future high frequency local routes identified in Network Now, Metro Transit’s vision for transit service through 2027
- Corridors identified by agency partners for consideration
Read Technical Memo 1 to learn more about how the candidate corridors were identified.