Council approves $17.9M contract for new bus rapid transit line
The Metropolitan Council voted Tuesday to award a major engineering contract for the Metro H-Line, a planned 17-mile bus rapid transit corridor that officials say will significantly boost ridership across the region.
The council unanimously approved a $17.9 million contract with HDR, Inc. for engineering and construction administration services on the Metro H-Line project. The H-Line will operate as arterial bus rapid transit—a service type that makes frequent stops to serve local neighborhoods—running through Minneapolis and St. Paul with stops along Washington Avenue, Maryland Avenue, White Bear Avenue, and other major corridors.
Official Alicia Valente told the council that the route currently serves about 6,000 riders across existing local bus lines. "We typically see between a 20 and a 50% increase in ridership after we upgrade a route from local service to arterial BRT," she said. The project timeline calls for planning through 2026, engineering from late 2026 through 2027, and construction beginning in early 2028.
Council Member Barber recused himself from voting due to a potential conflict of interest related to his position as Public Works Director for St. Paul. The council also clarified how the H-Line differs from the Gold Line, another transit project. The Gold Line will provide express service between downtown St. Paul and Minneapolis with just one stop, while the H-Line will have stations spaced roughly every third to half mile, providing more local access throughout the corridor.
In other business, the council approved declaring an 8-acre park-and-ride facility at Paul Parkway in Blaine as surplus property available for sale. The facility became obsolete after Route 865 was discontinued as part of the "Network Now" transit restructuring plan. Staff reported that better alternative park-and-ride locations are available nearby. An appraisal indicated the property's highest and best use would be multi-family housing, and developers have already expressed interest in that use. The council also unanimously approved a grant agreement with the Apple Valley Transit Authority for transit modifications.
Our proprietary artificial intelligence agent analyzed publicly available documents including meeting agendas, minutes, and transcripts to write this story to help inform local residents. Feedback helps us improve, so please consider rating how we did with the thumbs up or down below.
Go deeper on this topic
Research related meeting documents and build a brief — without rewriting the story.
Full analysis
Votes (3)
Grant agreement with MVTA for Apple Valley Transit Authority modifications
Dissent: None
Moved by Osman [07:31] · Seconded by Unknown (Dr. Carter) [07:34]
This was a consent item with minimal discussion, primarily procedural confirmation of the item. It was presented as a straightforward authorization for a grant agreement.
Metro Hline Engineering and Construction Administration Services contract 26P00009
Dissent: Council Member Barber [17:40] recused himself from voting due to the appearance of a conflict of interest related to his position as Public Works Director for the City of St. Paul.
Moved by Osman [17:15] · Seconded by Unknown (Judy) [17:21]
The item involved the award of a $17.9 million contract to HDR, Inc. for engineering and construction administration services for the Metro H-Line, a 17-mile Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line. The presentation outlined the project timeline (planning 2025-2026, engineering late 2026-2027, construction early 2028), the procurement process following the Brooks Act, and community engagement efforts including a recent public comment period. Questions addressed projected ridership increase (20-50% from current 6,000) and the strategic differentiation between arterial BRT (H-Line) and guideway BRT (Gold Line) in terms of market served and stop frequency.
Disposition of property at 1286 Paul Parkway Northeast in Blaine
Dissent: None
Moved by Barber [25:06] · Seconded by Tony Carter (Chair) [25:09]
The business item proposed declaring the Paul Parkway and Ride property as surplus and authorizing its disposition. The facility became obsolete after Route 865 was discontinued as part of the 'Network Now' plan, with better alternative park and ride locations available. Staff reported no identified council or alternative public need for the 8-acre property, and FTA concurrence for its disposition, allowing sale proceeds for other capital projects. Council members questioned potential uses, particularly for housing, and it was clarified that there were no grant restrictions on use and the appraisal indicated multi-family housing as a highest and best use, with developer interest already noted.
Notable Quotes (4)
Existing ridership along the route three and additional routes that will be um upgraded by the Hline, I believe, is about 6,000 riders currently. And we typically see between a 20 and a 50% increase in ridership after we upgrade a route from local service to arterial BRT.
Arterial BRT, which is the Hline, serves a somewhat different market than Guideway BRT, which is the Gold Line. So the gold line will provide a very fast service between downtown St. Paul and downtown Minneapolis with just the one stop at Snelling in 94 in between. Um whereas arterial BRT has station spaced about every 1/3 to one half mile. So it's providing a more local access throughout the corridor.
Madam Chair, council member, there there are no restrictions in the grant. However, we've contacted our um transportation division, our environmental division, housing division, and they have not been able to identify a council property. Neither has the city or county identified a public need for it.
I could also share madam chair council member that the appraisal and FDA concludes that the highest and best use is destination oriented commercial or multi-family.
Ordinances & Resolutions (18)
A formal statement read at the start of meetings, acknowledging the ancestral homeland of the Dakota Oate and committing to instilling related principles in regional policy.
A funding opportunity that closed on June 25th with 175 applications seeking substantial funds for active and federal transportation projects.
A contract for engineering and construction administration services for the Metro H-Line project, awarded to HDR, Inc.
A consent item authorizing a grant agreement with the Minnesota Valley Transit Authority for modifications.
Business item for the award and execution of contract 26P00009 for Metro H-Line services.
The solicitation document issued on January 30th, 2026, for the Metro H-Line engineering and construction administration services.
The act governing the evaluation of proposals for the Metro H-Line contract.
The program where funding for the Metro H-Line contract is allocated.
The specific project ID within the Authorized Capital Program for the Metro H-Line funding.
Business item for the disposition of the Paul Parkway and Ride property in Blaine.
Grants awarded in 2013 for land acquisition and construction of the Paul Parkway and Ride.
Agreement between Anoka County and the council regarding operations of the Paul Parkway and Ride.
A plan under which Route 865 was discontinued, redirecting funding to high-frequency express service.
Approval from the Federal Transit Administration for the disposition of the Paul Parkway and Ride property.
Guidelines for the disposal of surplus property.
A project focused on maintenance and upgrades to the Blue Line, involving bus replacement service.
The initial public version of the Metro H-Line corridor plan, released earlier in the year for public comment.
The next version of the Metro H-Line corridor plan to be presented to the council in August, incorporating public feedback.
Source document
Was this story helpful?
Other Topics from This Document
Metro H-Line Bus Rapid Transit Project
Disposition of Paul Parkway and Ride Property
Renew the Blue Project Update
Want to know when new stories arrive?
Enter your email to receive updates.
We will not use your email for any other purpose. You can unsubscribe at any time.