Metro Gold Line (Minnesota)

Originally, the Gateway Corridor was planned to follow Interstate 94 from the St. Croix River Bridge in Wisconsin to Saint Paul and is one of the most heavily used and traveled corridors in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. As a result of recent population growth, the Gateway Corridor today{{When|date=March 2025}} moves more than 150,000 vehicles per day. In 2009, a commission was created to study and plan alternative transportation options in the corridor.{{Citation needed|date=March 2025}}

In August 2010, the Gateway Corridor Commission and its consultant team initiated a Transit Alternatives Analysis Study (AA), looking at the corridor from the Twin Cities to Eau Claire, Wisconsin. This is the first step in determining the best mode (i.e. light rail, commuter rail or bus rapid transit); estimated ridership, possible routes and stops, and projected costs to build, operate and maintain. In looking at these four main areas, the study helped to address the issues of congestion, potential economic development/revitalization and environmental and social impacts.{{Citation needed|date=March 2025}}

The AA Study was expected to take approximately 18 months to complete and is expected to be finished by spring 2012. Final decisions regarding the mode of transit and route will be determined by the Metropolitan Council and Ramsey and Washington County Regional Railroad Authorities. These decisions will help move this from a planning effort into a real, tangible project.{{Citation needed|date=March 2025}}

The Gateway Corridor Commission dropped the commuter rail option, leaving only possible bus rapid transit or light rail routes. All of the bus rapid transit route options would run on Interstate 94.{{Cite web |last=Harlow |first=Tim |date=March 15, 2012 |title=Commuter rail from Twin Cities to Eau Claire off table for I-94 |url=http://www.startribune.com/local/east/142879505.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120319002815/http://www.startribune.com/local/east/142879505.html |archive-date=March 19, 2012 |access-date= |website=Star Tribune}}

The project was originally expected to end in Lake Elmo, Minnesota.{{cite news |last1=Peterson |first1=David |title=Gold Line busway may end in Lake Elmo, not Woodbury |url=https://www.startribune.com/gold-line-busway-may-end-in-lake-elmo-not-woodbury/322560901/ |access-date=July 19, 2024 |work=Star Tribune |date=August 21, 2015}} Lake Elmo is known for having a lower density of housing than other suburbs in the area and local city council members had considered adding density to the city near I-94 and the Gold Line in order to preserve a more rural character elsewhere in the city. Years earlier, the city argued with the Metropolitan Council over the their directive that Lake Elmo increase density within the city.{{cite news |last1=Shaw |first1=Bob |title=Lake Elmo's population won't have to triple by 2030, Met Council says |url=https://www.twincities.com/2014/02/02/lake-elmos-population-wont-have-to-triple-by-2030-met-council-says/ |access-date=July 19, 2024 |work=St. Paul Pioneer Press |date=February 2, 2014}} The Lake Elmo city council voted unanimously to support the project in 2014 but by 2016 the city council with several newly elected members voted against allowing the project to end within the city.{{cite news |last1=Shaw |first1=Bob |title=Lake Elmo won't let $485 million Gold Line bus route in its city |url=https://www.twincities.com/2016/01/08/lake-elmo-wont-let-485-million-gold-line-bus-route-in-its-city/ |access-date=July 19, 2024 |work=St. Paul Pioneer Press |date=January 8, 2016}}

The project also faced opposition from residents in Oakdale, Minnesota, and a non-profit formed to fight the project called Citizens for Smart Transit.{{cite news |last1=Shaw |first1=Bob |title=The east metro ruckus over $485 million Gold Line is getting louder |url=https://www.twincities.com/2016/03/25/the-east-metro-ruckus-over-485-million-gold-line-is-getting-louder/ |access-date=July 20, 2024 |work=St. Paul Pioneer Press |date=March 25, 2016}}

Washington County spent some money collected through the Counties Transit Improvement Board on planning for the Gold Line.{{cite web |last1=Lucke |first1=Jan |title=County will request funds from County Transit Improvement Board |url=https://www.washingtoncountymn.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/ArchivedItem/1337 |publisher=Washington County, Minnesota |access-date=July 20, 2024 |date=October 18, 2016}} Money from the Counties Transit Improvement Board had been mostly spent on projects in the western metropolitan area which led Gold Line supporters to argue that more transit funding should be spent in the east metro including on projects like the Gold Line.

The proposed bus rapid transit line would go from downtown Saint Paul to Woodbury and was proposed to be built by 2024. The project was renamed from the Gateway Corridor to the METRO Gold Line.{{cite web|title=Welcome to the expanding METRO network|url=https://www.metrotransit.org/metro-network|publisher=Metro Transit|access-date=June 14, 2019}} The line would cost $485 million in 2021 dollars with 45% of that coming from federal sources. The Gateway Corridor Commission estimates 8,600 weekday riders by 2040.Shaw, Bob (December 18, 2015) "Woodbury-to-St. Paul Gold Line would be second costliest, per rider" Saint Paul Pioneer Press The Metropolitan Council approved the locally preferred alternative in December 2016. The project began New Starts Project Development in January 2018. After passing the National Environmental Policy Act with a Finding Of No Significant Impact from the FTA in January 2020, the Metropolitan Council declared no additional environmental review was needed for the project in March 2020.

The project was given a "medium-high" rating by the Federal Transit Administration in March 2021. The rating allows the project to continue into the engineering phase of the FTA's New Starts program.{{cite news |last1=Moore |first1=Janet |title=East metro bus rapid transit Gold Line clears critical hurdle with feds |url=https://www.startribune.com/east-metro-bus-rapid-transit-gold-line-clears-critical-hurdle-with-feds/600045987/ |access-date=June 3, 2021 |work=Star Tribune |date=April 14, 2021}} The "medium-high" rating was an improvement over the "medium-low" rating that the project received in January 2020. By adding 350 park-and-ride spaces, ridership projections increased which improved the project's rating.{{cite news |last1=Shaw |first1=Bob |title=Gold Line clears key hurdle for federal funding |url=https://www.twincities.com/2021/04/14/gold-line-transit-project-for-east-metro-passes-key-hurdle-for-federal-financing/ |access-date=June 3, 2021 |publisher=St. Paul Pioneer Press |date=April 15, 2021}} Utility work for the project could start as soon as the summer of 2021.{{cite news |last1=Johnson |first1=Brian |title=Metro Transit Gold Line project advances |url=https://finance-commerce.com/2021/04/metro-transit-gold-line-bus-project-advances/ |access-date=June 3, 2021 |publisher=Finance & Commerce |date=April 16, 2021}}

With three years needed until service could start, developments worth $200–290 million were proposed along the line by April 2021.{{cite news |last1=Shaw |first1=Bob |title=Rapid-transit bus line sets up rapid-growth development in east metro |url=https://www.twincities.com/2021/04/30/rapid-transit-bus-line-sets-up-rapid-growth-development-in-east-metro/ |access-date=June 3, 2021 |publisher=St. Paul Pioneer Press |date=April 30, 2021}}

File:METRO C Line electric bus charging at BCTC (side).jpg. ]]

Buses would run 90% of the time on new roads that run next to existing roads and highways. Service would be every 10 minutes during peak times and 20–30 during other times. Travel times from end to end for the 12 stations would take at least 34 minutes.Shaw, Bob (December 19, 2015) "Is the $485M St. Paul-to-Woodbury Gold Line bus worth it?" Saint Paul Pioneer Press Buses will operate in bus only lanes for 70% of the 10 mile long project. Construction was officially kicked off on October 19, 2022. Construction is expected to be completed and service begin in 2025.{{cite news |last1=Moore |first1=Janet |title=Construction officially begins on Gold Line BRT linking St. Paul and Woodbury |url=https://www.startribune.com/gold-line-brt-construction-officially-begins/600217145/ |access-date=December 3, 2022 |work=Star Tribune |date=October 19, 2022}}

Five of seventeen buses used on the route are expected to be 60-foot articulated electric buses. Electric buses in the Twin Cities were first used on the Metro C Line in 2019.{{cite web |last1=Desmond |first1=Carrie |last2=Riter |first2=Jeremiah |title=Metro Transit ZEB Transition 2022 Annual Report |url=https://metrocouncil.org/Council-Meetings/Committees/Transportation-Committee/2023/September-25,-2023/Info-2_ZEB.aspx |publisher=Metro Transit |access-date=November 26, 2023 |date=September 25, 2023}}{{cite news |last1=Ramstad |first1=Evan |title=Switching bus fleets to electric will be more of an evolution than revolution |url=https://www.startribune.com/bus-fleets-electric-slower-than-expected-metro-transit-duluth-twin-cities-public-transportation/600322289/ |access-date=November 26, 2023 |work=Star Tribune |date=November 25, 2023}} The buses and chargers will be purchased from New Flyer for around $10.8 million.{{cite news |last1=Pan |first1=H. Jiahong |title=Road to zero-emission buses proves challenging for Minnesota transit agencies |url=https://www.minnpost.com/environment/2023/12/road-to-zero-emission-buses-proves-challenging-for-minnesota-transit-agencies/ |access-date=January 6, 2024 |work=MinnPost |date=December 20, 2023}} The electric buses are expected to operate nine trips a day while the diesel buses will operate 38 trips a day.{{cite web |last1=Riter |first1=Jeremiah |last2=Desmond |first2=Carrie |title=METRO Gold Line Transportation Committee, Business Item 2023-121 SW |url=https://metrocouncil.org/Council-Meetings/Committees/Transportation-Committee/2023/June-12,-2023/0612_2023_121-SW-presentation.aspx |publisher=Metro Transit |access-date=January 6, 2024 |date=June 12, 2023}}

File:Helmo Station on the METRO Gold Line in July 2024.jpg

Construction officially began in October 2022.{{cite news |last1=Melo |first1=Frederick |title=Metro Transit breaks ground on Gold Line from Woodbury to St. Paul |url=https://www.twincities.com/2022/10/19/metro-transit-breaks-ground-on-gold-line-from-woodbury-to-st-paul/ |access-date=December 3, 2022 |work=St. Paul Pioneer Press |date=October 19, 2022}} The project is expected to cost $505 million.{{cite news |last1=Moore |first1=Janet |title=Construction officially begins on Gold Line BRT linking St. Paul and Woodbury |url=https://www.startribune.com/gold-line-brt-construction-officially-begins/600217145/ |access-date=December 2, 2023 |work=Star Tribune |date=October 19, 2022}} In April 2023, $238 million from the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act was secured. An additional $120 million from Ramsey County and Washington County will also fund the project.{{cite news |last1=Moore |first1=Janet |title=Feds contribute $239 million to Gold Line BRT linking St. Paul and Woodbury |url=https://www.startribune.com/feds-contribute-239-million-to-gold-line-brt/600266298/ |access-date=December 2, 2023 |work=Star Tribune |date=April 11, 2023}} Major construction was expected to take place during the 2023 and 2024 construction seasons with an official opening expected in 2025.{{cite news |last1=Heilman |first1=Dan |title=Gold Line BRT construction efforts remain on schedule {{!}} Finance & Commerce |url=https://finance-commerce.com/2023/07/gold-line-brt-construction-efforts-remain-on-schedule/ |access-date=December 2, 2023 |work=Finance & Commerce |date=July 21, 2023}} Construction on the East Side of Saint Paul concerned local business owners who experienced reduced access to their businesses and reduced customer traffic.{{cite news |last1=Leonard |first1=Jennifer |title=Metro Transit's Gold Line construction causes headaches for businesses. Some wonder if it's worth it. |url=https://www.twincities.com/2023/07/31/metro-transit-gold-line-construction-business-impacts |access-date=December 2, 2023 |work=St. Paul Pioneer Press |date=July 31, 2023}}

A new bridge over Interstate 94 opened in December 2023 at a cost of $9 million. $7.5 million of the cost was paid for by the federal government. The Bielenberg Bridge connects Helmo Ave in Oakdale and Bielenberg Drive in Woodbury. The bridge carries general traffic but will also have dedicated bus lanes for the Gold Line.{{cite news |last1=Kaul |first1=Greta |title=New I-94 bridge connects Woodbury and Oakdale |url=https://www.startribune.com/i-94-bridge-connecting-woodbury-oakdale-opens-bielenberg-bridge/600323658/ |access-date=December 2, 2023 |work=Star Tribune |date=December 1, 2023}}{{cite news |title=Metro Transit cuts ribbon on new Bielenberg Bridge in Minnesota |url=https://www.masstransitmag.com/bus/infrastructure/press-release/53079229/metro-transit-cuts-ribbon-on-new-bielenberg-bridge-in-minnesota |access-date=December 2, 2023 |work=Mass Transit magazine |date=November 28, 2023}}{{cite news |title=New Woodbury-Oakdale bridge over I-94 opens early Friday night |url=https://www.twincities.com/2023/12/01/new-woodbury-oakdale-bridge-over-i-94-opens-early-friday-night/ |access-date=December 2, 2023 |work=St. Paul Pioneer Press |date=December 2, 2023}}

In October 2024, Metro Transit announced that it would extend the Gold Line west from St. Paul to Downtown Minneapolis in 2027. The extension would replace existing, weekday-only express buses on I-94 between the two cities, which are also served by the Green Line, a slower light rail line. The extension is expected to cost $15 million to $20 million and would be funded in the existing project budget.{{cite news |last=Moore |first=Janet |date=October 21, 2024 |title=Metro Transit expands Gold Line bus rapid transit to Minneapolis |url=https://www.startribune.com/metro-transit-expands-gold-line-bus-rapid-transit-to-minneapolis/601166020 |work=Star-Tribune |access-date=October 22, 2024}}

Existing BRT stations on 7th and 8th Street in downtown Minneapolis will be used and the route will end at Royalston Avenue/Farmers Market on the Green Line extension.{{cite news |title=METRO Gold Line will be extended to Minneapolis in 2027 |url=https://metrocouncil.org/News-Events/Transportation/Newsletters/METRO-Gold-Line-will-be-extended-to-Minneapolis-in.aspx |access-date=23 October 2024 |work=Metropolitan Council |date=October 22, 2024 |language=en}} Only two additional stations will need to be constructed. One station will be constructed on Snelling Avenue, while the other will be near U.S. Bank Stadium.{{cite news |last1=Thiede |first1=Dana |title=New transit project to connect Woodbury to St. Paul, then into Minneapolis |url=https://www.kare11.com/article/traffic/gold-line-project-to-extend-into-downtown-minneapolis-woodbury-st-paul-dedicated-lanes-met-council/89-d761f2f9-0da7-4b7a-a9fb-185e7c84a39d |access-date=23 October 2024 |work=kare11.com |date=22 October 2024}} Creation of the Gold Line extension will not determine the outcome of MnDOT's Rethinking I-94 project, where outcomes range from rebuilding the interstate to creating an at-grade roadway.{{cite news |title=Gold Line Project |url=https://www.metrotransit.org/gold-line-extension |access-date=23 October 2024 |work=www.metrotransit.org}}{{cite news |last1=Hazzard |first1=Andrew |title=Minneapolis City Council wants smaller roadway, more space for transit and pedestrians in I-94 redevelopment Minneapolis City Council wants smaller roadway in I-94 redevelopment |url=https://sahanjournal.com/climate-environment/minneapolis-city-council-interstate-94-mndot/ |access-date=23 October 2024 |work=Sahan Journal |date=19 September 2024}}

Route 94 takes between 20 and 25 minutes to travel between downtowns while the Green Line takes 40 to 45 minutes. In 2024, Route 94 only ran every 20 minutes during rush hour with reduced frequency at other times, while the Gold Line extension will run every 10–15 minutes.{{cite news |last1=Timar-Wilcox |first1=Estelle |title=Metro Transit announces new Gold Line bus rapid transit route will be extended to Minneapolis |url=https://www.mprnews.org/story/2024/10/22/metro-transit-gold-line-bus-rapid-transit-route-extended-minneapolis |access-date=23 October 2024 |work=MPR News |date=22 October 2024 |language=en}} Route 94 carried around 800 riders per weekday in 2024.{{cite news |last1=Cruzen |first1=Imani |title=Metro Transit to extend Gold Line to downtown Minneapolis in 2027 |url=https://www.twincities.com/2024/10/22/metro-transit-to-extend-gold-line-to-downtown-minneapolis-in-2027/ |access-date=23 October 2024 |work=Twin Cities |date=23 October 2024}}

{{reflist}}

{{Commons category}}{{Attached KML |display=title,inline}}

• {{Official website}}
• [https://www.metrotransit.org/gold-line-project Gold Line Project - Metro Transit]
• [https://www.co.washington.mn.us/3353/METRO-Gold-Line Gold Line Project - Washington County]

{{Twin Cities Transit}}

{{USBRT}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gold Line}}

Category:Bus rapid transit in Minnesota

Category:Proposed bus rapid transit in the United States

Category:Proposed public transportation in Minnesota

Category:Transportation in Saint Paul, Minnesota

Category:Interstate 94

Category:Metro Transit (Minnesota)