CAP board hears Bronze Line update, releases East Campus framework and backs Rice Street design direction

Ramsey County and Metro Transit staff updated the Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board on the Bronze Line bus rapid transit project and related station‑area planning, and the board authorized the next steps for station‑area design and Rice Street corridor engineering.

Steven Smith, Ramsey County project manager for the corridor, described the updated Bronze Line route from Union Depot to Maplewood Transit Center (about 10 miles) with roughly 22 stations (17 new). He outlined goals to increase transit reliability, add about 50% dedicated transit lanes where feasible, improve pedestrian safety and deliver station amenities such as heated shelters, off‑board fare collection and real‑time messaging. Smith said the project will enter design this fall, with construction timelines currently estimated in the early 2030s, and noted ongoing community engagement and work with local cities.

In a related item, CAP staff and consultants presented the East Campus Design Framework (a focused chapter of 14th Street station‑area planning) and asked the board to authorize public and agency review. Consultants said the framework focuses on walkability, primary pedestrian connections, public gathering spaces and complementary public‑realm strategies that build on the Capitol Mall design framework. Board members pressed staff to explain outreach plans for state employees and workers who use the campus; staff said more targeted outreach and surveys, virtual and in‑person open houses, and partner coordination are planned.

The board also considered the Rice Street corridor 60% design, a multi‑jurisdictional effort managed by Ramsey County and the City of Saint Paul. Staff described a corridor approach that includes cycle tracks, medians, tree canopy, dedicated bus lane capacity where needed and targeted safety improvements at high‑crash intersections such as Como/Penn. Following discussion and clarifications about transit and traffic operations, the board approved direction supporting the 60% layout and authorized staff to continue to 90% design and return for final approval.

Board members frequently emphasized integration with other projects (Sears site development and the East Campus framework), the need to preserve trees and to coordinate design and maintenance responsibilities with the Department of Administration and local partners. Staff said design work will include further traffic modeling, stakeholder coordination and more detailed cost and phasing work before construction.

Speakers quoted in this article include Steven Smith (Ramsey County project manager) and Sierra Schlichting (station area planning lead).