Provide funding to projects that were selected through the metropolitan councils 2020 and 2022 regional solicitations a competitive process to award federal transportation funding to projects that…

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) awarded the Metropolitan Council Minnesota $25.96 million under the Federal Transit Formula Grants program (CFDA 20.507) on September 11, 2025, with a completion date of March 31, 2030. This formula grant funds multiple transportation infrastructure and service projects selected through the Metropolitan Council's competitive 2020 and 2022 regional solicitations. The funded initiatives include travel demand management (TDM) projects focused on education and outreach to reduce single-occupant vehicle trips; Route 757 operating project providing new weekday limited-stop transit service between downtown Minneapolis and Plymouth; the Mobility Hubs project establishing shared mobility services infrastructure and amenities; and capital renovation of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) Blue Line Lake Street Station, including vertical circulation, platform canopy, and pedestrian ramp improvements.

Additionally, the award supports the Minnesota Valley Transit Authority (MVTA) Apple Valley Transit Station modernization project, encompassing site preparation, paving, stormwater management, lighting, fencing, signage, technology equipment, and infrastructure enhancements. These projects collectively aim to expand regional transportation choices, improve transit coverage, enhance access to employment and essential services, reduce congestion and vehicle emissions during peak travel periods, and modernize transit infrastructure across the Twin Cities metropolitan area.

Purpose

The purpose of this award is to provide funding to projects that were selected through the metropolitan councils 2020 and 2022 regional solicitations a competitive process to award federal transportation funding to projects that meet regional transportation needs. Projects provide greater choices and options regarding how to travel in and throughout the region thereby reducing congestion and vehicle emissions during peak travel periods in the region.

Activities

The travel demand management projects will use funds to support regional travel demand management activities. These projects focus on education and outreach efforts aimed at reducing the number of single-occupant vehicle trips by encouraging the use of alternative or shared transportation methods particularly for daily commuters during peak travel hours. The route 757 operating project will operate a new weekday limited stop service between downtown minneapolis and plymouth via route 757.the mobility hubs project will fund shared mobility services infrastructure renovation staffing and related amenities. The LRT blue line lake ST station renovation project activities include the renovation and construction of the LRT blue line lake ST station including vertical circulation platform canopy and a new pedestrian ramp. The minnesota valley transit authority (mvta) apple valley transit station modernization project activities will include site preparation and removals paving stormwater management lighting fencing striping and barriers signage technology equipment and infrastructure enhancements.

Expected outcomes

The travel demand management projects will provide greater choices and options regarding how to travel in and throughout the region thereby reducing congestion and vehicle emissions during peak travel period in the region. The route 757 operating project will improve transit coverage enhance access to key destinations such as jobs and essential services and offer a dependable travel option for those who rely on public transportation supporting broader regional mobility goals.mobility hubs will increase the availability of first- and last-mile connections along regionally significant transit routes. The LRT blue line lake ST station renovation project will provide more reliable and resilient ADA access between the street and platform enhance the customer experience and proposes durable materials that reduce maintenance resources and extend the life of the station. The mvta apple valley transit station modernization projects will expand travel options improve system reliability and safety and support a well-maintained multimodal transportation network that connects people to key destinations across the region.

Intended beneficiaries

The travel demand management projects will benefit new and existing transit riders along with the region seeing reduced congestion and vehicle emissions during peak travel periods in the region. The route 757 operating project will serve communities including near north minneapolis neighborhoods and denser suburban neighborhoods in plymouth. The mobility hub project will benefit riders that depend on transit services with new and improved services and amenities. The LRT blue line lake ST station renovation project will enhance this major transit hub in south minneapolis benefiting the roughly 473000 riders who board there annually. The mvta apple valley transit station modernization projects will benefit new and existing transit riders as well as the surrounding community with 15500 people living within a mile of the station. The stations broad network serving 300 stops across seven transit lines makes IT a vital access point that will particularly benefit low-income individuals and those living with disabilities addressing the need for accessible and reliable transit options.

Subrecipient activities

The travel demand management projects will include the following subrecipients move minneapolis move MN 494 corridor anoka county hour car and bicycle alliance of MN. The mobility hub project will include the city of minneapolis who will be responsible for planning designing constructing and maintaining their hubs as a subrecipient of the metropolitan council. The mvta apple valley transit station modernization project will be managed and overseen entirely by mvta as a subrecipient of the metropolitan council.