As the demand for equitable transit in regions’ most active transit corridors increases, more providers are looking for cost-effective ways to deliver efficient, reliable transit service. Arterial bus rapid transit (BRT) is meeting this growing need. The METRO A Line, the Twin Cities’ first arterial BRT, is a 10-mile route that follows Snelling Avenue from Rosedale Center (in Roseville) to Ford Parkway (in Saint Paul) and then along Ford Parkway/46th Street to the 46th Street Station of the METRO Blue Line LRT at Hiawatha Avenue.
The METRO A Line runs in mixed-traffic and incorporates limited-stop service, technology improvements, and branding to differentiate the service from regular bus routes. The goal of arterial BRT is to provide faster, more frequent service and to offer an all-around improved customer experience. Reduced signal and passenger boarding delays, combined with fewer stops results in faster service. More comfortable vehicles, stations, information technology, and improved service reliability provide an enhanced passenger experience.
As part of the consultant team, SRF performed traffic operations analysis along the entire METRO A Line corridor and delivered preliminary and final design services for nine stations located on 46th Street, Ford Parkway and two southerly stations on Snelling Avenue. Our work included station elements such as shelters, pylons, bike racks, benches, lighting, real-time signing, ticket vending machines, and trash receptacles. We also identified modifications to the traffic signals to accommodate transit signal priority (TSP), as well as the detailed design necessary to construct the project. Close coordination with both Hennepin and Ramsey Counties was required as both agencies had reconstruction projects that coincided with the METRO A Line BRT design and construction.
