List of Metro (Minnesota) light rail stations explained

Metro is a public transportation network consisting of light rail and bus rapid transit services covering the Minneapolis–Saint Paul metropolitan area. The light rail portion of the network, managed by Metro Transit, has 37 light rail stations in operation across two lines: the Blue Line, running from downtown Minneapolis to the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota, and the Green Line, connecting downtown Minneapolis to downtown Saint Paul.[1] In 2016, the Blue and Green lines respectively provided approximately 10.3 million and 12.7 million rides for a total of 23 million rides across both lines.[2] By ridership, it is the ninth-largest light rail system in the United States.[3]

Construction on the Blue Line, which was initially known as the Hiawatha Line, began in 2001.[4] The line opened in two phases in 2004, beginning with a 12-station stretch from the Warehouse District/Hennepin Avenue station through the Fort Snelling station in June. In December, five more stations were opened, continuing service south of Fort Snelling to the Mall of America station.[5] Two additional Blue Line stations opened in late 2009: a new northern terminus at Target Field and the American Boulevard station in Bloomington.[6] [7] Construction on the Green Line, which was initially designated as the Central Corridor, began in 2010.[8] The line opened in its entirety in June 2014.[9]

Fares for Metro light rail service are the same as those for most Metro Transit bus services and include unlimited transfers to other light rail and bus routes within 2.5 hours from the time a fare is paid.[10] Two exceptions exist for Metro light rail services: fares within (but not between) downtown zones are less expensive than regular fares but may not be transferred; and there is no cost to ride between terminals 1 and 2 at the Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP).[11] [12] Many stations connect with rail or bus routes. The Target Field station provides a connection to the Northstar commuter rail line, while the Mall of America station allows for transfers to the Metro Red Line bus rapid transit service. The A Line bus rapid transit line connects with the 46th Street Blue Line station and the Snelling Avenue Green Line stop. Two Metro light rail stations – 30th Avenue and Fort Snelling – have designated park and ride lots.[13]

Extensions to both Metro lines are planned as of 2023. The Blue Line extension will branch northward from the Target Field station, adding 11 stations to the line: two more in Minneapolis, two in Golden Valley, one each in Robbinsdale and Crystal, and five in Brooklyn Park.[14] The Green Line extension will branch west from Target Field station and include 16 new stations: five in Minneapolis, three each in Saint Louis Park and Hopkins, one in Minnetonka, and four in Eden Prairie.[15] The Green Line extension was originally intended to open in 2018 but, as of 2022, was delayed until 2027.[16] Passenger service was planned to begin on the Blue Line extension in 2023, but an issue with securing right-of-way resulted in the need to rework the line's route, resulting in a new estimate of 2028.[17] [18] [19] [20]

Stations

Legend
Downtown fare zone stations
†Terminal stations
  • †
Terminal / downtown fare zone stations
Free airport zone
Lines
Station!class="unsortable" scope="col"
LinesLocalityOpened
Saint Paul[21]
Bloomington[22] [23]
Minneapolis[24]
Minneapolis
Minneapolis
Bloomington[25]
Bloomington
Saint Paul
Minneapolis
Saint Paul
Saint Paul
Minneapolis
Saint Paul
Fort Snelling[26]
Minneapolis
    		Minneapolis
    Saint Paul
    Minneapolis
    Saint Paul
    †Bloomington[27]
      		Minneapolis
      Minneapolis[28]
      Saint Paul
      Saint Paul
      • †
      		Saint Paul
      Saint Paul
      Minneapolis
      • †
        		Minneapolis
        Fort Snelling
        Fort Snelling
          		Minneapolis
          Fort Snelling
          Saint Paul
            		Minneapolis
            Minneapolis
            Saint Paul
            Saint Paul

            Planned stations

            See main article: Southwest LRT and Bottineau LRT.

            Station! class="unsortable" scope="col"
            LinesLocalityPlanned opening[29] [30]
            Brooklyn Park
            Brooklyn Park
            Brooklyn Park
            Crystal
            Minneapolis
            Saint Louis Park
            Hopkins
            Brooklyn Park
            Minneapolis
            Eden Prairie
            Hopkins
            Eden Prairie
            Eden Prairie
            Golden Valley
            Saint Louis Park
            Brooklyn Park
            Minnetonka
            Minneapolis
            Golden Valley
            Robbinsdale
            Minneapolis
            Hopkins
            Eden Prairie
            Minneapolis
            Minneapolis
            Minneapolis
            Saint Louis Park

            Deferred/cancelled stations

            Along Southwest LRT, two additional stations, both in Eden Prairie, were originally included in plans for the Green Line extension. One, Mitchell Road, was cut entirely from plans while another, Eden Prairie Town Center, was deferred until a later date. In October 2018, Eden Prairie Town Center received a full funding grant agreement and will open with the rest of the line when it is complete.[31] [32] Along Bottineau LRT, four planned stations (Van White Boulevard, Penn Avenue, Plymouth Avenue/Theodore Wirth Park, and Golden Valley Road) were abandoned after BNSF Railway refused access to their Monticello Subdivision, forcing Metro Transit and the Metropolitain Council to find an alternative alignment. Three other stations (Robbinsdale, Bass Lake Road, and 63rd Avenue) also along the Monticello Subdivision are still being pursued, albeit outside the railroad corridor.[33]

            External links

            Notes and References

            1. Web site: What is Metro?. Metro Transit. https://web.archive.org/web/20170626230546/https://www.metrotransit.org/metro-system. June 26, 2017. June 19, 2017. July 19, 2017.
            2. News: Moore. Janet. Metro Transit sees slight dip in 2016 ridership. July 19, 2017. Star Tribune. January 13, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170114185055/http://www.startribune.com/metro-transit-sees-slight-dip-in-2016-ridership/410679535/. January 14, 2017.
            3. Web site: Transit Ridership Report Fourth Quarter 2016. American Public Transportation Association. July 19, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170320233013/http://www.apta.com/resources/statistics/Documents/Ridership/2016-q4-ridership-APTA.pdf. March 20, 2017. Washington, D.C.. 3–4. March 3, 2017.
            4. Knudson. Paul T.. Coalition Formation and Metropolitan Contention: An Analysis of the Politics of Light-Rail Transit in the Twin Cities of Minnesota. City & Community. June 2009. 8. 2. 177–195. 10.1111/j.1540-6040.2009.01279.x. 143514228 .
            5. Web site: Hiawatha Line Returns Rail Service to Minneapolis. Passenger Transport Archive. American Public Transportation Association. July 19, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170719174443/http://www.apta.com/passengertransport/Documents/archive_654.htm. July 19, 2017. July 5, 2004.
            6. Gibbons . Bob . November 14, 2009 . Communities celebrate arrival of Northstar Line; daily commuter rail service begins Monday . dead . . https://web.archive.org/web/20100316130925/http://www.metrotransit.org/news/releases/release11_14_09.asp . March 16, 2010 . July 19, 2017 .
            7. News: Smetanka. Mary Jane. Hiawatha LRT line opens 19th station in Bloomington. July 19, 2017. Star Tribune. December 9, 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20160305194807/http://www.startribune.com/hiawatha-lrt-line-opens-19th-station-in-bloomington/78925607/. March 5, 2016.
            8. Web site: Central Corridor Light Rail Transit Project Facts. Metropolitan Council. July 19, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20110519034201/http://metrocouncil.org/transportation/ccorridor/CCLRTProjectFacts.pdf. May 19, 2011. April 2011.
            9. News: Duchschere. Kevin. St. Paul makes a bet on revival with Green Line light-rail train. July 19, 2017. Star Tribune. June 13, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20160807155225/http://www.startribune.com/st-paul-bets-on-revival-with-green-line-light-rail-train/262811201/. August 7, 2016.
            10. Web site: Fares. Metro Transit. July 19, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170707171113/https://www.metrotransit.org/fares. July 7, 2017. dead.
            11. Web site: Downtown Zone is 50¢. Metro Transit. July 19, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20161007193419/http://www.metrotransit.org/downtown-zone. October 7, 2016.
            12. Web site: Taking Metro Transit to MSP airport terminals. Metro Transit. July 18, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20161027151818/http://www.metrotransit.org/airport. October 27, 2016. dead.
            13. Web site: Park for free then ride the smart way. Metro Transit. July 19, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170707174651/https://www.metrotransit.org/park-ride-lots. July 7, 2017.
            14. Web site: Routes and Stations: Connecting Brooklyn Park, Crystal, Robbinsdale, Golden Valley & Minneapolis. Metropolitan Council. July 20, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170712090719/https://metrocouncil.org/Transportation/Projects/Current-Projects/METRO-Blue-Line-Extension/Route.aspx. July 12, 2017. January 2017.
            15. Web site: Routes and Stations. Metropolitan Council. July 20, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170720200833/https://metrocouncil.org/Transportation/Projects/Light-Rail-Projects/Southwest-LRT/Route-Stations.aspx. July 20, 2017. January 2017.
            16. News: Phipps . Jennie L. . Minn. Light Rail Project Is Nine Years Late, Billions over Budget . April 29, 2023 . . September 29, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221206202437/https://www.enr.com/articles/54884-minn-light-rail-project-is-nine-years-late-billions-over-budget . December 6, 2022. live.
            17. News: Ecklund . Eric . Twin Cities Transit Expansion Timeline . November 30, 2018 . Streets.mn . November 30, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181130181320/https://streets.mn/2018/11/30/twin-cities-transit-expansion-timeline/ . November 30, 2018.
            18. News: Ecklund . Eric . The Blue Line Extension in Limbo . August 20, 2020 . Streets.mn . July 1, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191015211637/https://streets.mn/2019/07/01/the-blue-line-extension-in-limbo/. October 15, 2019.
            19. News: Wanek-Libman . Mischa . Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz fully backs METRO Blue Line extension . January 10, 2021 . Mass Transit . October 12, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20210111011436/https://www.masstransitmag.com/rail/infrastructure/article/21157946/minnesota-gov-tim-walz-fully-backs-metro-blue-line-extension. January 11, 2021.
            20. News: Sepic . Matt . Latest light rail plan puts Blue Line in heart of north Minneapolis . April 29, 2023 . . April 19, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220702040008/https://www.mprnews.org/story/2022/04/19/latest-light-rail-plan-puts-blue-line-in-heart-of-north-minneapolis . July 2, 2022. live.
            21. Web site: Route: Connecting downtown Minneapolis and downtown St. Paul. Metropolitan Council. July 18, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170712074454/https://metrocouncil.org/Transportation/Projects/Current-Projects/Central-Corridor/Route.aspx. July 12, 2017.
            22. News: Harlow. Tim. Park-and-ride system has plenty of room as usage drops slightly in 2014. July 18, 2017. Star Tribune. March 20, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20160510131622/http://www.startribune.com/park-and-ride-system-has-plenty-of-room-as-usage-drops-slightly-in-2014/297048841/. May 10, 2016.
            23. Web site: Wilkins. Craig. Hiawatha LRT to reach final destination on Dec. 4. Newsline. Minnesota Department of Transportation. July 18, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20061007110428/http://www.newsline.dot.state.mn.us/archive/04/dec/1.html. October 7, 2006. December 1, 2004.
            24. Web site: Minneapolis ushers in Light Rail era on June 26, cleaner transit options and improved air quality. City of Minneapolis. July 18, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170718221923/http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/news/news_20040625lrtopening. July 18, 2017. June 25, 2004.
            25. News: New light rail station opening in Bloomington. July 18, 2017. St. Paul Pioneer Press. December 12, 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20170718194639/http://www.twincities.com/2009/12/12/new-light-rail-station-opening-in-bloomington/. July 18, 2017.
            26. Stecker. Nicole S.. A GIS Analysis on the Effects of the Hiawatha Light Rail on Single-Family Residential Property Market Values. 2005. January 10, 2021. Saint Mary's University of Minnesota. https://web.archive.org/web/20151029165009/http://www.gis.smumn.edu/GradProjects/SteckerN.pdf. October 29, 2015. live.
            27. Web site: Metro Blue Line Facts. Metropolitan Council. July 18, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170711050150/https://metrocouncil.org/About-Us/Facts/TransportationF/FACTS-METRO-Blue-Line.aspx. July 11, 2017.
            28. Web site: Westgate Station. Metro Transit. https://web.archive.org/web/20170617163749/https://www.metrotransit.org/westgate-station. June 17, 2017.
            29. Web site: About the Green Line Extension. Metropolitan Council. August 23, 2022. August 12, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220812173251/https://metrocouncil.org/Transportation/Projects/Light-Rail-Projects/METRO-Green-Line-Extension/About.aspx. live.
            30. Web site: METRO Blue Line Extension Route Modification Report Summary. Metropolitan Council. August 23, 2022. April 2022. August 24, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220824001113/https://metrocouncil.org/Transportation/Projects/Light-Rail-Projects/METRO-Blue-Line-Extension/Publications-And-Resources/Design/Route-Modification-Report-Executive-Summary-April.aspx. live.
            31. News: Dexter. Patty. Eden Prairie's Town Center LRT station recommended for federal funding. July 22, 2017. Eden Prairie News. February 9, 2017. https://archive.today/20170722021429/http://www.swnewsmedia.com/eden_prairie_news/news/local/eden-prairie-s-town-center-lrt-station-recommended-for-federal/article_db998141-3bed-5205-965a-35767c7e9c15.html. July 22, 2017. dead.
            32. News: Eden Prairie officially receives grant for Town Center LRT station. Andrew . Hazzard. Southwest News Media. November 1, 2019. October 17, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20191101195106/https://www.swnewsmedia.com/eden-prairie-officially-receives-grant-for-town-center-lrt-station/article_1417f4c6-0e1f-5d12-8f78-90e5b7888890.html. November 1, 2019.
            33. News: Moore . Janet . Hennepin County, Met Council abandon route for Bottineau Blue Line light rail . December 6, 2021 . Star Tribune . August 3, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20220612025427/https://www.startribune.com/hennepin-met-council-abandon-route-for-bottineau-blue-line/571994512/. June 12, 2022. live.

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