Should Purple Line run along the Bruce Vento Regional Trail or White Bear Ave? Please join Purple Line staff at one of our upcoming community meetings to provide your input on the preferred corridor between White Bear Avenue and Bruce Vento Regional Trail. Take a survey, view meeting dates, materials, and other ways to provide your feedback on our Public Engagement page and more project background on the Route Modification Study page.
The METRO Purple Line BRT was initially envisioned as a 15-mile line between Union Depot in downtown Saint 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 Rd. 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.
The Purple Line project is evaluating White Bear Avenue as an alternative to using the Bruce Vento Regional Trail Corridor. Options for the route to continue beyond Maplewood Mall Transit Center will continue to be explored during the evaluation of this new alignment. Learn more about the Route Modification Study.
The line will connect with existing and future light rail and bus rapid transit service of the METRO system, including direct or close connections to the Green Line, Gold 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. Design and construction funding will be provided by the Federal Transit Administration and Ramsey County. Operations and maintenance funding will be provided by Ramsey County and the Metropolitan Council.
Route Modification Study Factsheet – Hmong | Karen | Somali | Spanish (as of July 2024)
Project History
For past documents related to the Purple Line project, visit the Project Library (pre-2022). For more recent documents, check out the web pages of the project website.
View a map of the METRO Purple Line (as of December 2021)
Project schedule
2022-2027: Design Advancement, Route Modification Study Phase I and Phase II
2027: Construction Start
2029: Anticipated opening of the Purple Line
Stay informed
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Project Contacts
Purple Line Project Office
[email protected], 651-602-1955
Media Contact
Laura Baenen, [email protected], 612-269-4365
Community Outreach and Engagement
Colin Owens, [email protected], 612-618-0495