Metropolitan Council begins work to extend METRO Gold Line to Minneapolis

The Metropolitan Council, which oversees Metro Transit and the region’s expanding network of bus rapid transit (BRT) and light rail transit (LRT) lines, has begun work to extend the METRO Gold Line. Two new stations with heating and lighting, real-time signs, and ticket machines are being built near the intersection of Interstate 94 and Snelling Avenue in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Transportation. These stations will unlock a new connection when the BRT line extends farther west in early 2027. 

The extended Gold Line will replace express Route 94, which runs between St. Paul and Minneapolis, and will eliminate the need to transfer in St. Paul, making the commute more seamless. Route 94 averages 2,200 weekday rides. Ridership increased 66 percent compared with the same period last year after service was expanded to every 15 minutes in March.

The Gold Line will serve most existing stops in downtown St. Paul and will stop at existing BRT stations on 7th and 8th Streets in Minneapolis. The extension will serve existing downtown stops, including the Green Line Extension’s Royalston/Farmers Market Station. Another station is planned near U.S. Bank Stadium as part of future street construction.

The Gold Line opened in March 2025 and serves stops in Woodbury, Oakdale, Landfall, Maplewood, and St. Paul. In June, the Gold Line saw 1,900 average weekday riders, a new high; the Gold Line has logged nearly 600,000 rides thus far. East of St. Paul, Gold Line buses travel in the state’s only dedicated bus lanes. To bypass traffic between St. Paul and Minneapolis, buses will travel in bus-only shoulder lanes.  

The Green Line extension and the first phase of the G Line also are expected to open, while planning continues for six additional bus rapid transit lines over the next decade.

Source: Met Council