Project overview

This project will make the Blue Line longer. The route will start at Target Field Station. Then it will go to North Minneapolis and up to Brooklyn Park.

For more information, visit the Metropolitan Council Project Webpage

The project will:

• Connect people to new opportunities and destinations.
• Provide better transit service by lowering travel times.
• Invest in safer streets for all travel modes.
• Commerce and service areas near the line will now have easier access via transit.
• Provide better access to education and employment opportunities on transit routes.
• Support the City's mode shift goals.

See strategy 6 from the Transportation Action Plan

Project partners will also address related issues, including:

• Housing
• Economic development
• Land use planning
• Displacement

The project will include:

• Street reconstruction along the train tracks
• Potential transit mall(s)
• Changes to curbside uses (e.g., on-street parking)
• Improved sidewalks
• New or improved bikeways
• More greening
• Updated lighting and utilities

Project partners

• The Metropolitan Council
• Hennepin County
• Your Blue Line
• Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board
• City of Minneapolis
• City of Robbinsdale
• City of Crystal
• City of Brooklyn Park

Route details

The Blue Line connects to three lines in Downtown Minneapolis. This connection is at the Target Field Station:

• Blue Line on the Hiawatha Corridor to the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport and Mall of America.
• Green Line via the University of Minnesota and Prospect Park to St. Paul.
• Northstar Commuter Rail Line to northern suburban communities.

Read the proposed alignment on the Metropolitan Council's project webpage

City involvement

Metro Transit and Hennepin County staff lead the Blue Line Project Office. The Project Office leads the engagement, engineering, and design. City plans and policies inform the route and design.

City staff informs the Project Office on:

• Anti-displacement
  • People and businesses have support to live and work near the Blue Line.
    
    
• Transit oriented development (TOD)
  • The Blue Line supports neighborhoods near stations with housing, jobs, and education.
    
    
• Safe street designs
  • Streets near the Blue Line are designed to improve safety for all users.
  • Streets near the Blue Line include sidewalks, bike lanes, and vehicles.
    
    
• Easy access to stations
  • Make it easy to get to stations in city neighborhoods.
    
    
• Achieve the City’s climate, prosperity, and mode shift goals
  • Improve the health of the community and the environment.

Residents and business owners

Residents serve on the Blue Line Community Advisory Committee (CAC).
Learn about the CAC

Business owners serve on the Business Advisory Committee (BAC). 
Learn about the BAC

Upcoming milestones

The project published the draft Anti-Displacement Coordinated Action Plan. 

Read the Plan

The City will start Station Area Planning in 2025.

The project will publish the Supplemental Final Environment Impact Statement (SFEIS) in the Summer of 2025.

Project history

2012

In 2012, an original plan used the BNSF rail corridor. This corridor traveled through Crystal, Robbinsdale, and Wirth Park in Golden Valley. In Minneapolis, the route followed Olson Memorial Highway.

2020

In 2020, Hennepin County announced that the railroad company did not want the Blue Line on its property. Project partners started looking for a new route for the Blue Line.

2022

Community input

It is important for people who live, work, or use public transportation near the Blue Line to share their opinions. The Project Office will ask for people's comments in different ways. By participating, you will have a say in the final decision. You can participate in surveys, an open house, and virtual meetings.

Other opportunities to provide input

Add comments to the Public Coordinate Map

Learn about additional opportunities