In July, the Metropolitan Council approved the recommended plan for the A Line. With this action, the Council confirmed the locations of each of the line's 20 stations. Read a presentation on the plan. 

The approved plan reflects years of project development and extensive community engagement, including four open houses held in May 2014 to get feedback on station concept plans.

Following the Council's action, the A Line entered final design. Final designs are now nearing completion, and the project is on track for construction to begin in the spring of 2015. 

The A Line will use a brand new fleet of improved buses designed specifically for this service. Visible differences will easily distinguish A Line buses from the regular route fleet, including a unique color scheme and high-visibility white LED display letters on the front of the bus.

The A Line will use 40-foot buses, a vehicle size familiar to current Route 84 riders. Future lines will require “articulated” (accordion-style) 60-foot buses. Additional new features will streamline the bus experience:

No more stop cord: Instead of a cord for signaling stops, yellow stop “tape” will be placed at strategic locations on the bus—including in designated ADA seating—so that passengers can more easily request stops no matter where they sit or stand.

Improved circulation: The center aisle and back doors will be extra wide to facilitate easier circulation through the bus. These extra wide back doors will swing sideways instead of out to enable simultaneous passenger boarding and exiting.

Enhanced wayfinding: Fixed windows with uninterrupted views, on-board automated announcements, and an LED display reading the “Next Station” will tell passengers where they are at all times.

Accessibility improvements on the A Line will make boarding easier and faster for all customers.

Low floors, high curbs: A Line buses will have low floors for a shorter step into the bus. Stations will also have higher curbs to further minimize step-in height.

Passive wheelchair securement: In addition to the standard four-point tie down on buses today, Metro Transit is investigating a passive wheelchair securement option that allows customers in wheelchairs to secure themselves without a driver's assistance. This kind of system has been successfully implemented in transit systems in Seattle, Los Angeles, and elsewhere. Watch a video showing this securement in action in San Antonio.

The new option has been well received by the Transportation Accessibility Advisory Committee (TAAC), a Metropolitan Council committee that advises on accessibility decisions for transit in the Twin Cities region.

“I like the idea of a passive securement option on the A Line because it allows passengers in wheelchairs to be more independent.” said TAAC Vice Chair Nichole Villavicencio. “No longer will passengers in wheelchairs require the assistance of the driver to have a safe and comfortable trip.”

While passive wheelchair securements are used on the METRO Blue Line and Green Line, their use on the A Line would be new to buses in Minnesota. “Because it is a new system, I’m glad that the A Line will retain the tie-down option for those that prefer conventional securement. This is a win-win that increases options for the disability community.” said Villavicencio.

“No longer will passengers in wheelchairs require the assistance of the driver to have a safe and comfortable trip.”

- Nichole Villavicencio, Vice Chair, Transportation Accessibility Advisory Committee

2015 will be an important year for transportation upgrades throughout the A Line corridor. In addition to A Line station construction, several major projects are planned:

• Snelling Avenue bridge work and improvements: The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) will make a number of improvements on Snelling Avenue between Selby Avenue and the Pierce Butler Route. The project will replace the Snelling Avenue bridge spanning I-94, mill and overlay multiple sections of Snelling Avenue and make pedestrian improvements. As part of this work, MnDOT will also construct A Line stations at Dayton, University, Minnehaha, and Hewitt Avenues. 

• Ford Parkway reconstruction: In St. Paul, Ramsey County will reconstruct Ford Parkway between Snelling Avenue and Howell Street, improving ride quality through this stretch for the A Line and other travelers. As part of this work, Ramsey County will also lay the groundwork for the A Line station at Ford & Fairview. 

• Minnehaha Avenue reconstruction: In Minneapolis, Hennepin County will reconstruct Minnehaha Avenue between Lake Street and 46th Street, including the intersection and at 46th Street & Minnehaha. Hennepin County will construct the A Line station bases as part of its reconstruction.

• Highland Village streetscape improvements: The City of St. Paul has started making streetscape improvements along Ford Parkway. Upon completion, the area will have new streetlights, new sidewalks, new boulevard trees and spaces for shrubs and plants. Because this project is advancing in 2014, A Line station areas will not be improved until the A Line is constructed in 2015.

Visit the links above for more information on each project.

Metro Transit is working with its county, city and MnDOT partners to minimize the overall disruption to residents in the area by coordinating construction schedules. Further details on construction plans for the A Line will be developed and made available in late 2014/early 2015. 

There’s more information available at metrotransit.org/snelling-BRT. The site is updated regularly with the latest project information, frequently asked questions and information about upcoming opportunities to weigh in on the project.