Metro Transit has firmed up plans to construct the next rapid bus route in their system, the “B-Line”. It will run along the Lake Street corridor in Minneapolis from West Lake Station across the River and into downtown St. Paul. The B-Line will feature upgraded stations with shelters, heat, ticket machines and security cameras. These stations are spaced further apart to speed up service, which is a priority considering the current #21 bus along Lake Street is the slowest in the system.
Representatives from Metro Transit, Hennepin County and the City of Minneapolis presented plans at a recent South Uptown meeting to highlight the changes scheduled for 2023 and 2024. Check out the presentation here. Stations serving South Uptown are planned at Lyndale & Lake and at Hennepin at Lake and Lagoon. The Lake and Lagoon one-way pairs will be reconfigured to include a dedicated bus lane and two general traffic lanes. East of Dupont Avenue, Lake Street will be re-striped converting four general lanes to one lane in each direction plus a center turn lane to improve safety and reduce traffic speeds. This design allows for the addition of a dedicated, westbound bus lane in many locations on Lake Street. Bump-outs are planned at many intersections along the route to improve the visibility of walkers and reduce crossing distances.
Construction of stations east of I35W begins later in 2023 with construction west of the freeway starting in 2024. The B-Line service is expected to start in 2024.
B Line - Lyndale
