An agreement securing more than $74 million in federal funds for the METRO Orange Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Project in Minnesota is imminent according to U.S. Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith and U.S. Reps. Angie Craig (MN-2), Betty McCollum (MN-4) and Ilhan Omar (MN-5).
The elected officials say the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has provided Congress with the required 10-day notice and intends to sign the funding agreement as part of the Capital Investment Grant (CIG) program.
“Today’s announcement that we can soon begin further construction of the Orange Line Bus Rapid Transit Project is a major victory for our state,” Sen. Klobuchar said. “Connecting the Twin Cities with this new rapid transit service will give residents more options to travel between work, school, and the area’s many businesses and cultural institutions. This project will spur additional investments in the region’s economy and create good-paying jobs.”
The $150.7-million Orange Line BRT project is a 17-mile BRT along Interstate 35 linking job centers including Best Buy Headquarters, Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, Target Corporation and Southtown Shopping Center. The route will connect several municipalities including downtown Minneapolis with south Minneapolis and the cities of Richfield, Bloomington, and Burnsville. The project was a new addition to the FTA’s FY18 CIG allocations.
In addition to funds from the CIG program, Funding commitments for the Orange Line have been provided by the Counties Transit Improvement Board, the State of Minnesota, the Metropolitan Council, Hennepin County and Dakota County.
“This milestone for the Orange Line is the culmination of hard work in Minnesota—including Met Council, MnDOT, the Minnesota Valley Transit Authority, the cities of Bloomington, Burnsville, Lakeville, Minneapolis, and Richfield, as well as Dakota and Hennepin Counties—and I’m glad to see the federal government doing its part to support this project,” Sen. Smith said. “Modern transit systems like this BRT line are essential to keep Minnesota’s economy competitive and growing, while reducing traffic congestion and emissions.”
This Orange Line BRT will feature frequent, all-day service in both directions, seven days a week. The project includes highway improvements and upgraded station amenities for transit users. The project is scheduled to open by 2021 with a future extension of the Orange Line to Lakeville also envisioned in future years.
“A robust, multi-modal transportation system for the 21st century is necessary to keep the Twin Cities and Minnesota economically competitive,” Rep. McCollum said.
“Folks across my district have voiced the need for increased access to public transit,” Rep. Craig said. “The development of the Orange Line is a huge step forward in connecting my constituents to the rest of the state, and I’m glad to see the federal government prioritize bus rapid transit services to serve our growing communities.”
“Investing in mass transit is critical to building a 21stcentury infrastructure system in Minnesota. By investing in transit, we can ensure people have access to good jobs and reduce our carbon emissions The Orange Line is a big part of that in Minnesota and I’m thrilled that it is moving forward,” Rep. Omar said.
Mischa Wanek-Libman | Group Editorial Director
Mischa Wanek-Libman is director of communications with Transdev North America. She has more than 20 years of experience working in the transportation industry covering construction projects, engineering challenges, transit and rail operations and best practices.
Wanek-Libman has held top editorial positions at freight rail and public transportation business-to-business publications including as editor-in-chief and editorial director of Mass Transit from 2018-2024. She has been recognized for editorial excellence through her individual work, as well as for collaborative content.
She is an active member of the American Public Transportation Association's Marketing and Communications Committee and served 14 years as a Board Observer on the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) Board of Directors.
She is a graduate of Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Mass Communication.
