Project Update (September 2025)
Joint Statement
Ramsey County and the Metropolitan Council are committed to advancing equitable transit access through strategic investment in St. Paul’s East Side and the White Bear Avenue Corridor to Maplewood Mall.
In partnership with the cities of Maplewood and St. Paul, we are delivering on our commitment to connect residents—particularly those with limited transportation options—to essential opportunities including employment, healthcare, and other critical services.
This project, formerly known as the METRO Purple Line, is now entering a new phase of development that will strengthen our shared transit vision by creating reliable, accessible connections that serve the diverse needs of our communities.
This investment reflects a fundamental belief: quality public transit is not just infrastructure—it's a pathway to opportunity that strengthens our entire region.
Additional background:
- The line will be reintroduced under a new name consistent with regional transit branding. Details about the name transition and future project phases will be shared soon.
- The Ramsey County Board will discuss this new direction at a Board Workshop in November. More information will follow that discussion.
Project map as of September 2025
Project Overview
The proposed alignment will connect with existing and future light rail and bus rapid transit service of the METRO system, including direct or close connections to the Gold Line, Green Line, B Line, G Line, and H Line, as well as local and express bus routes. The line will increase accessibility to jobs, housing, and services, thus improving the attractiveness and competitiveness of the east metro area.
The Metropolitan Council, in partnership with Ramsey County and the Minnesota Department of Transportation, will design and construct the project. Metro Transit will own, operate and maintain the line.
For past documents related to the Purple Line project, visit the Project Library (pre-2025). For more recent documents, check out the web pages of the project website.