Ramsey County, in partnership with Metropolitan Council and the cities of Maplewood and Saint Paul, announced the METRO Bronze Line on Dec. 2. This reimagined bus rapid transit (BRT) project builds upon the former Purple Line with a renewed focus on community, safety, accessibility and improved transit connections for the east side to the rest of the county.
Key takeaways about the Bronze Line project
- The Bronze Line will span about 10 miles and include 22 stations, five miles of bus lanes and two new bridges. It will operate in mixed traffic in Maplewood and both designated lanes and mixed traffic in Saint Paul.
.jpg.aspx?lang=en-US&width=350&height=235 "Public officials and advocates gathered for an event at Union Depot in Saint Paul on Dec. 2 to announce the new METRO Bronze Line.")
The project incorporates targeted safety and accessibility improvements along Maryland and White Bear avenues, including enhanced pedestrian crossings, upgraded ADA accessibility and transit signal prioritization to provide faster, more reliable service. - The redesign also eliminates a full roadway reconstruction in Maplewood, preserving existing traffic conditions.
- Metro micro, a shared ride service, was identified in Metro Transit’s Network Now for the Maplewood area anchored at the Maplewood Mall Transit Center. It will be implemented in September 2026, years in advance of the arrival of the Bronze Line.
"The Met Council looks forward to advancing this important project and working alongside our partners to bring the Bronze Line to life,” said Robin Hutcheson, Chair of the Met Council. “As we move forward, we're not just building infrastructure — we're building connections, opportunities, and a stronger future for the east metro and for our entire region."
More about the project.