Corridor Study Detail

The E Line is a planned Bus Rapid Transit (arterial BRT) line that will substantially replace the Route 6 in the Hennepin Avenue Corridor of Minneapolis. The E Line Corridor Study will evaluate routing options along more segments of Route 6 south of Uptown and along 4th Street and University Avenue. The study will also develop concept plans for connecting transit service, potential station locations, and transit advantages in the corridor.

In fall 2018, Metro Transit collected community feedback on seven different routing options south of Uptown, and two for the northern terminus. Metro Transit evaluated multiple inputs such as ridership, cost, and community feedback to narrow the options to advance for further study. 

Metro Transit staff are currently recommending that the E Line cross the river from downtown Minneapolis into the Marcy-Holmes and Dinkytown area, ending at either Stadium Village or Westgate Station. This recommendation was based on current Route 6 ridership, population density, transit access to regional destinations such as the University of Minnesota, and a large amount of community support. Metro Transit is looking for input regarding whether the E Line should end at either Stadium Village or Westgate Station.

For the southern portion of the E Line, the study has been narrowed down to three routing options. All three options end at Southdale Transit Center with routing either on Xerxes Avenue, France Avenue, or a mixture of both. Southdale Transit Center is being recommended as the southern endpoint due to community input, total project cost considerations, and high ridership at that location. Metro Transit is seeking feedback on which option should be selected for the final E Line routing this spring. 

Additionally, The E Line study will continue to develop concept plans for connecting transit service, potential station locations, and transit advantages in the corridor. The result of this work will inform station planning on E Line beginning in fall 2019.

The E Line project team will continue to engage transit riders, corridor residents, businesses and organizations in the corridor study planning process to solicit their input and respond to their needs and concerns. A single E Line routing will be determined by fall 2019 based on technical study and community input.