Route Modification Study

Route Modification Study

Northern endpoint analysis over the past year 

Since spring 2022, the project has been working to determine a northern end point, after it was decided to not end the project in downtown White Bear Lake. During that time two major activities have occurred:  

  • The project has conducted a Route Modification Study looking at three end points: County Road E Park & Ride in Vadnais Heights, Maplewood Mall Transit Center, and Century College on the White Bear Lake/Mahtomedi border.  
  • The City of Maplewood has conducted a community engagement process to discuss how the city should proceed with Purple Line.  

The Route Modification Study to identify a new end point transitioned in fall/winter 2022 to focus on project adjustments needed for a viable end point that would qualify for federal funding. Of the three endpoints that were studied, Maplewood Mall Transit Center via Bruce Vento Trail was the only endpoint that was viable.  

Route Modification Study – Next Steps in 2023 and beyond 

The Purple Line Project is beginning a new study to evaluate White Bear Avenue as an alternate route to using the Bruce Vento Regional Trail Corridor following a public engagement process in Maplewood about the trail alignment. The trail is within the former freight rail corridor bought by Ramsey County in the 1990s for future transit use.  

Ramsey County, a Purple Line project funding partner, made the announcement March 22 in a letter submitted at a City of Maplewood public engagement workshop. The project’s Corridor Management Committee (CMC) concurred with the decision to move forward in evaluating White Bear Avenue in addition to Bruce Vento Trail as route options at their April 6 meeting. More information on this can be found in the presentation slides from the Purple Line’s Corridor Management Committee (CMC) meetings. 

The goal will be to position this new alternative to be compared to the Bruce Vento Trail co-location alternative to inform a recommendation on final alignment and northern terminus endpoint for Purple Line.​ As the project sponsor, this new option allows Metropolitan Council/Metro Transit to continue listening to our communities and work with our funding partners to create a transportation system that provides economic, social, and environmental benefits to the region.  

More information about the next steps of this study and ways to engage will be shared later this year. Please see the Public Engagement page for upcoming community events and opportunities to provide feedback.

Image above showing route alternatives considered for the METRO Purple Line Project.