Ramsey County has joined forces with the Metropolitan Council, the cities of Maplewood and Saint Paul to announce the launch of the METRO Bronze Line—a bus rapid transit line poised to transform the east metro's connectivity. The Bronze Line project is a reinvention of the shelved Purple Line, now highlighting community-centric principles, safety, accessibility, and enhanced transit linkages for residents on the East Side. With a commitment to aligning with community needs and prioritizing local input, this transit development aims to provide reliable service with minimal disruption.
According to a recent announcement on the Ramsey County website, the funding exclusively comes from local sources. Ramsey County Commissioner Mai Chong Xiong stated, "I’m proud to share that the Bronze Line will be 100% locally funded, with Ramsey County covering about 90 percent of the cost." Notably, this strategic maneuver will allow a more tailored and certain approach to the project's execution—focusing on design, scheduling, and controlled costs.
The eagerly anticipated Bronze Line will stretch to approximately 10 miles, with provisions for 22 stations along its route. Five miles of dedicated bus lanes and two fresh bridges will serve to enhance the line's efficiency. Each station is designed for inclusivity, featuring near-level platforms to ease access, real-time arrival information, and security infrastructure. The Bronze Line's mixed-use traffic plan will be operational in Maplewood and across designated lanes and mixed traffic within Saint Paul. Launching ahead of the Bronze Line's arrival, in September 2026, will be the Metro micro, an on-demand shared ride service connected to Maplewood Mall Transit Center, as stated in Metro Transit’s Network Now report.
Robin Hutcheson, Chair of the Met Council, expressed eagerness to progress this salient project, saying, “The Met Council looks forward to advancing this important project and working alongside our partners to bring the Bronze Line to life.” In moving ahead, the project's objective surpasses simply constructing infrastructure—it's about fostering connections, opportunities, and bolstering the region's future. On the local level, Maplewood Mayor Marylee Abrams praised the effort for responding aptly to community demands, while Saint Paul Mayor Melvin Carter emphasized the benefits of the Bronze Line in terms of facilitating access to jobs, schools, and essential services for residents.
As the Bronze Line progresses further along its developmental track, Ramsey County and the Met Council endeavor to maintain a strong community dialogue. Upcoming public engagement includes meetings with community members, business stakeholders, and transit users. Crucial dates are on the horizon, with December 5 and December 11 slated for project recommendations to be deliberated by the Community and Business Advisory Committee and the Corridor Management Committee. Subsequently, the findings will be presented for action to the respective city councils of Saint Paul and Maplewood, as well as the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners.
