Improved Transit Service for Minneapolis Area

• 13.3-mile corridor within the cities of Edina and St. Paul, Minneapolis
• Fifth arterial BRT line opened by Metro Transit
• Enhanced stations with heated and lighted shelters

Traveling along a 13.3-mile corridor within the cities of Edina and St. Paul, Minneapolis, the METRO E Line significantly improves one of the region’s busiest bus routes. The bus rapid transit line, which opened in December 2025, substantially replaced Route 6 with new service and equitable access to destinations in the community. Along with reliable service, it features enhanced stations with heated and lighted shelters, real time signage, ticket vending machines and fare card validators to provide a comfortable and seamless customer experience. This key route connects people to major job centers, shopping, healthcare and important destinations like the University of Minnesota, downtown events, the theater district and recreation.

The $60 million E Line is the fifth arterial BRT line opened by Metro Transit — the third BRT opened in 2025 alone — cementing the region’s status as one of the premiere locations for BRT in the U.S. 

Complex Coordination

The HDR team led design and construction oversight on the E Line, including the design of 55 shelters and an operator restroom facility. Working on an accelerated 16-month schedule, our team delivered the design on time and overcame several challenges including late scope additions by partner agencies. To deliver the design, we developed a team around a corridor segments approach, allowing us to share work and capitalize on efficiency across the project.

The E Line’s key challenge was navigating the complex coordination, schedule, cost sharing and scope delineation across many agency-led projects along the route. This included four major projects where stations were being constructed through partner agencies and eight other projects that required coordination and integration into the E Line. Frequent coordination meetings held with partner agencies were key to working together effectively.

Limited contractors were available to construct the E Line due to numerous BRT projects and local roadway projects being constructed in the region during the same timeframe.

Our team supported Metro Transit in developing strategies to reduce risk in the tough bidding environment. Metro Transit actively engaged the contractors through industry interactions, targeted emails and early information sessions. Through this quality process and active risk mitigation, Metro Transit received four competitive bids for the project.

Grand Opening

The E Line opened on Dec. 6, 2025. For opening day, HDR led key logistics efforts that made the celebration welcoming and energetic. 

To showcase all the great destinations and amenities along the E Line — and to thank the businesses that weathered construction — HDR partnered with Metro Transit to create a custom Passport Adventure. This pocket‑sized booklet included a route map, key BRT details, and nearly 25 pages where participants could collect stamps from businesses along the corridor. Each shopping, dining, entertainment, or recreation stop had its own Metro Transit stamp, and visiting at least three locations earned riders a special collectible lapel pin. Featuring each destination’s name, location, nearest station, area map, website, and a custom icon, the passport offered a fun, interactive way for people to support local businesses, celebrate opening‑day festivities and discover new connections across the E Line.