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https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MNORGMETC/bulletins/35778f0
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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. Presentation slides can be found on the project website.
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.
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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.
The White Bear Avenue route alternative would maintain the current project as it is proposed in downtown St. Paul and the Phalen Boulevard corridor then transition to Maryland Avenue and White Bear Avenue in Maplewood before routing to Maplewood Mall Transit Center. While this endpoint was previously identified as a viable endpoint along the Bruce Vento Regional Trail Corridor, we will continue to explore options for the route to continue past the Maplewood Mall Transit Center through the evaluation of the White Bear Avenue route. The White Bear Avenue alternative would avoid the Bruce Vento Regional Trail corridor segment between Maryland Avenue in St. Paul and Beam Avenue in Maplewood. Ramsey County said its support for the evaluation of White Bear Avenue as an alternate route is contingent upon converting one lane in each direction of the four-lane county road for dedicated bus lanes. This is consistent with County policy to prioritize pedestrians, bicycles, and transit over automobiles.
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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.
During the April 6 CMC meeting, a decision was also made to recommend a modified Arcade Street/Neid Lane as the preferred option and eliminate the other station options along Phalen Boulevard. This decision was supported by public and stakeholder input, as well as design considerations.
If you are interested in connecting about the METRO Purple Line project or have questions, comments or concerns, please reach out to Colin Owens, Community Outreach Coordinator, at 612-618-0495 or colin.owens@metrotransit.org.
If you are interested in having Purple Line staff come to your neighborhood group, community organization, business, or event, please reach out to Colin Owens, Community Outreach Coordinator, at 612-618-0495 or colin.owens@metrotransit.org.
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