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Purple Line BRT Project

Project Library

Project History (prior to 2025)

The METRO Purple Line was initially envisioned as a 15-mile line between Union Depot in downtown St. Paul and downtown White Bear Lake generally along Robert Street, Jackson Street, Phalen Boulevard, Ramsey County rail right of way co-located with the Bruce Vento Regional Trail and Highway 61. In spring 2022, the Purple Line began a Route Modification Study to evaluate a new northern terminus north of Beam Avenue to either end the line at Maplewood Mall Transit Center, I-35E & County Road E Park & Ride in Vadnais Heights, or Century College on the border of White Bear Lake and Mahtomedi. An ending at Maplewood Mall Transit Center proved to be the only option that would qualify for federal funds.

In 2024, the Purple Line project evaluated several aspects of the White Bear Avenue Corridor as an alternative to using the Bruce Vento Regional Trail Corridor including traffic operations, property impacts, transit travel times, eligibility for federal funding, number of destinations, transit-supportive development, and the pedestrian experience.  That study ended with a recommendation from the Purple Line Corridor Management Committee (CMC) to move the Purple Line off the Bruce Vento Regional Trail Corridor north of Maryland Avenue to the White Bear Avenue Corridor. Learn more about the evaluation process and results on the Route Modification Study page.

View a map of the METRO Purple Line (as of December 2021)

Additional documents can be found on the Ramsey County website.

Environmental analysis phase (2018-2021) documents

Document
Findings of Fact and Conclusions, October 2021
Federal Transit Administration Finding of No Significant Impact, October 2021
Environmental Assessment and appendices, May 2021
Visual Quality Manual, April 2021
Public Engagement Summary, March 2018 to May 2021
15% Concept Plans, August 2020 (large file)
Ramsey County Rail Right-of-way Design Guide, April 2020
15% Letters of Support

Pre-project development (2014-2017) final study documents

Description Link
Full report with appendices Rush Line LPA report with appendices