METRO Gold Line Extension will provide a new, one-seat ride across the I-94 corridor
Work to extend the METRO Gold Line is now underway. A new station with heated and lit shelters, real-time signs, and ticket machines is being built now near the intersection of Interstate 94 and Snelling Avenue. The station will unlock a new connection when the bus rapid transit line is extended further west in early 2027.
The extended Gold Line will replace Route 94, which runs between St. Paul and Minneapolis. Extending the Gold Line eliminates the need to transfer in St. Paul, leading to a more seamless and reliable trip.
"This is a landmark moment for our region. Extending the Gold Line strengthens the backbone of our entire METRO network, giving people faster, more reliable ways to move across the I-94 corridor,” said Metropolitan Council Chair Robin Hutcheson. “This is what forward-thinking transit investment looks like: connecting communities, cutting commute times, and building a Twin Cities that works better for everyone who calls it home.”
The Gold Line opened in March 2025 and currently serves stops in Woodbury, Oakdale, Landfall, Maplewood, and St. Paul. In June, the Gold Line saw 1,900 average weekday rides, a new high; nearly 600,000 rides have been taken on the Gold Line thus far. An average of 2,200 rides are taken each weekday on Route 94, which was improved to have trips every 15 minutes in March; ridership on the route is up 66% compared to the same time last year.
East of St. Paul, Gold Line buses travel in the state’s only dedicated bus lanes. To bypass traffic between St. Paul and Minneapolis, buses will travel in bus only shoulder lanes.
The Gold Line will serve existing stops in downtown St. Paul and Minneapolis, including the METRO Green Line Extension’s Royalston/Farmer’s Market Station on the western edge of downtown Minneapolis. A station will be added near U.S. Bank Stadium in coordination with city street construction in the coming years.
"There are many ways to get around the Twin Cities, and Metro Transit's Gold Line expansion will provide another convenient option for travelers," said Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) Commissioner Nancy Daubenberger. "MnDOT is proud to work with our partners Metro Transit to build a transportation system that works for everyone."
“Metro Transit is excited to extend the Gold Line in 2027,” Metro Transit General Manager Lesley Kandaras said. “By extending the Gold Line, we are providing a one-seat ride between Minneapolis and Woodbury, connecting to several METRO lines and creating an attractive option for people to more easily get where they want to go.”
Region’s METRO network expanding in 2027
Extending the Gold Line is one of several ways the region’s METRO network is expanding. An extension of the METRO Green Line and the first phase of the METRO G Line, on Rice and Robert streets, will also open in 2027.
Planning is underway for six additional bus rapid transit lines set to open within the next decade. This includes the METRO H Line, which will operate along Como and Maryland avenues, and the METRO F Line that will operate along Central and University avenues.
Preliminary engineering and environmental review for the METRO Bronze Line, running between St. Paul and Maplewood, is also advancing under a new partnership between the Metropolitan Council, Ramsey County, and the cities of Maplewood and St. Paul.
Bus rapid transit lines like the Gold Line and G Line feature distinctive buses, enhanced stations with heated and lit shelters, real-time signs and ticket machines, and trips up to every 10 minutes.
After opening three bus rapid transit lines in 2025 – the Gold Line, B Line and E Line – more than half of all Metro Transit’s rides are now taken on METRO lines.
Transit operations and maintenance are supported in part by a ¾-cent regional transportation sales tax, established in 2023 under Gov. Tim Walz.
Regular route service improvements coming in August
In addition to expanding the METRO network, Metro Transit continues to improve local and express bus service.
On Saturday, Aug. 22, service will be expanded on routes 14 and 74 through the agency’s Better Bus Routes program. The program aims to improve the rider experience through a combination of bus stop improvements, route changes, and service improvements.
For a full summary of service improvements taking effect August 22, visit Metro Transit's website.
About Metro Transit
Metro Transit is an operating division of the Metropolitan Council, the regional policy-making body, planning agency, and provider of essential services for the Twin Cities metropolitan region. Metro Transit provides around 150,000 average weekday rides on 100 routes, including 8 bus rapid transit lines and two light rail lines.
Contact: Drew Kerr, 651-387-3928, [email protected]