 An updated METRO Map showing the addition of the future J and K lines to the system
J Line (West 7th), K Line (Nicollet) to move forward into planning process
After an evaluation of several potential corridors, the Metropolitan Council in March backed a recommendation to make these corridors home to the future METRO J Line and METRO K Line, respectively. The new lines are expected to open between 2030 and 2035.
Plans for the J Line call for service between the Mall of America and downtown St. Paul, with a stop at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. Plans for the K Line call for service between downtown Minneapolis and American Boulevard in Bloomington.
Once open, riders will enjoy faster and more reliable service and enhanced stations with features like heated and lit shelters, real-time displays, security features, and ticket machines. The frequency and span of service will be determined through the planning process but is expected to be generally in line with existing bus rapid transit lines, where trips run up to every 10 minutes.
Planning, community engagement, and partner coordination on the METRO J Line (West Seventh Street) will begin in 2026 and on the METRO K Line (Nicollet) in 2027.
On West Seventh Street, MnDOT is planning to make significant roadway improvements in the corridor starting in 2029. Metro Transit is working closely with MnDOT, the City of Saint Paul, and Ramsey County to align J Line construction with this major roadway project.
Additional study is needed to identify the METRO L Line from a set of three candidate corridors (Franklin/Grand/East 3rd Street, Johnson/Lyndale, and Randolph/East 7th). A recommendation is expected by the end of 2026.
To answer key project questions about the Franklin / Grand / 3rd corridor, additional study will be conducted to determine the corridor’s ability to be best served by Arterial BRT.
Following this study, the L Line will be recommended from three candidate corridors:
- Outcome of Franklin / Grand / 3rd corridor study
- Johnson / Lyndale corridor
- Randolph / East 7th Street corridor
Staff will additionally study feasibility of METRO C Line extension to the north or south on a separate path.
 Arterial BRT Plan Update corridor technical scoring and recommendation table
Over the course of this project, staff were able to reach over 2,000 people- feedback which helped shape the project’s evaluation goals as well as ongoing and final recommendations around which corridors would ultimately become the J, K, and L Lines.
As J Line and K Line move forward into their planning process, project staff will continue to engage with key community stakeholders in these corridors before the planning process to ensure awareness of the projects and upcoming community involvement opportunities.
When the L Line and C Line extension studies are completed later this year, staff will share out results and begin pre-planning engagement with those corridors.
To view prior project process summaries and other materials please visit the project website or contact project staff
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