A one-seat ride from Woodbury through downtown Saint Paul on 5th and 6th Streets is the preferred route for the METRO Gold Line BRT project. The Corridor Management Committee addressed the route and also approved plans to construct full-amenity stations in downtown locations from Union Depot to the Xcel Energy Center. Union Depot is a regional transit hub where riders can connect to the METRO Green Line and other transit options.
The downtown route was selected based on the potential for more riders and on public comments received this past October through public meetings, pop-up events, and an online survey. This option was frequently noted as the preferred one in public comments, compared to a route beginning and ending at Union Depot, which would allow riders to get to destinations throughout downtown without transfers or walking long distances.
Thank you to all who provided comments on the downtown route alternatives. View a summary of the engagement activities and public comments on the downtown route alternatives.
Since January 2018, the Gold Line BRT project has reached several major milestones to advance design and engineering, environmental work, and community engagement. Gold Line’s 2018 milestones include:
- Entry into the Project Development phase of the federal New Starts program, which funds major transit projects across the country.
- Opening of the Gold Line Project Office in downtown Saint Paul that allows agency staff, project partners and consultants to work closely together.
- Formation of the Corridor Management Committee and Community and Business Advisory Committee to provide guidance on design, engineering and construction.
- Contact with more than 1,500 community members through open houses, neighborhood meetings, online engagement and door knocking to collect feedback on design options.
- Advancement of design and engineering plans that integrate public input and feedback from local partners:
- Mounds Boulevard Station and route: Station location and route will be on Mounds Boulevard and buses will travel on bus-only lanes beginning at Mounds Boulevard and 3rd Street.
- White Bear Avenue Station: Two potential locations for the station between White Bear Avenue and Ruth Street, south of Old Hudson Road, either at Van Dyke Street or Hazel Street will continue to be considered.
- Hudson Road between Etna Street and White Bear Avenue: Gold Line buses will travel in mixed traffic rather than in bus-only lanes.
- Ongoing community engagement throughout the Gold Line corridor
- Continued advancement of design and engineering work
- Release of the Environmental Assessment for public comment
- Application to enter the Engineering phase of the New Starts program, keeping the project on track for future federal funding
Request a presentation
If you are interested in connecting about the Gold Line project or having Gold Line staff come to your neighborhood group, community organization, business or event, please reach out to Liz Jones, Community Outreach Coordinator, at 651-602-1977 or elizabeth.jones@metrotransit.org
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