Maplewood council backs locally preferred Bronze Line route, citing neighborhood protections

Mayor Abrams and the Maplewood City Council unanimously approved a resolution supporting the revised locally preferred alternative (LPA) for the Bronze Line bus rapid transit project, city staff said.

The council’s action on March 23 followed a presentation from City Manager Mr. Sable, who briefed elected officials on the route, station locations and project funding. Mr. Sable described the Bronze Line as “a flexible hybrid solution” that will run about 9.8 miles from downtown St. Paul to the Maplewood Mall Transit Center, include 22 stops total (six within Maplewood) and provide five upgraded station platforms in city limits. He told the council the project is now locally funded rather than federally funded.

Why it matters: the revised LPA was presented to address neighborhood and business concerns raised during earlier planning. Mr. Sable emphasized that “there will be no transit on the Bruce Vento Trail” and that, in Maplewood, the line would operate in mixed traffic and not require lane reductions on White Bear Avenue—changes staff said limit right‑of‑way impacts and help protect local access.

Council members also heard that the project adds micro‑transit as a “last mile” option to connect riders from the transit center to nearby destinations, and that accessible station design (near‑level boarding, enhanced signage and heating elements at shelters) is planned to speed boarding and improve rider experience. Mr. Sable said Metro Transit would develop ridership projections as the project advances.

Mayor Abrams framed the council’s vote as an example of local advocacy shaping regional planning, noting local traffic volumes on White Bear Avenue and saying the revised configuration better reflects Maplewood priorities: “I still remember the number, that 37,000 people on average drive on White Bear every day,” the mayor said during debate.

The resolution before the council was moved by Council Member Juneman and seconded by Council Member Villavicencio; after brief discussion the motion carried. Mr. Sable noted that both the Saint Paul City Council and Ramsey County Regional Rail Authority previously approved the LPA and that Maplewood is the final local governing body in the procedural chain to take this step.

Next steps: staff said detailed engineering and station‑area planning will continue, with construction sequencing and micro‑transit implementation timelines coordinated by Metro Transit and county partners. Several council members pressed staff to ensure early and sustained outreach on station siting and business impacts during future design phases.