The METRO Gold Line is Minnesota's first BRT line that operates primarily within exclusive bus-only lanes with dedicated guideway along nearly 50 percent of the corridor. As Metro Transit's program management consultant (PMC), HNTB provided project management and environmental services for the 10-mile dedicated bus rapid transit (BRT) project in St. Paul, MN.
The project includes four new BRT-exclusive bridges and two underpasses of existing roadways. Two bridges include dedicated guideway lanes, general purpose traffic lanes and pedestrian facilities. Three surface park-and-rides and one structured parking facility are included. There are 16 full amenity stations with off-board fare collection, real-time departure signs, heat, lighting, bike racks and enhanced security serviced by a mixed fleet of diesel and electric buses.
Since joining the project as PMC, HNTB has successfully supported Metro Transit in achieving several major milestones:
- Lead the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process to a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI)
- Project Development Phase completion submittal to the FTA
- New Starts Project application to the FTA, resulting in a medium-high project rating
- Entry into Engineering application, which was approved by the FTA on April 13, 2021
- Submissions of the application for Full Funding Grant Agreement, which was awarded by the FTA on April 4, 2023
HNTB was also responsible for numerous additional project support tasks, including:
- Project management/project controls, such as scheduling and cost estimating, FTA reporting and coordination support
- Risk management
- Safety and security
- Construction oversight
- Change Management
The firm has supported Section 106 with consulting parties and ongoing NEPA efforts to complete Environmental Assessment re-evaluations at 30, 60 and 90 percent design milestones to confirm the environmental decision for Finding of No Significant Impact with the FTA and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).
Additionally, HNTB developed an integrated project cash flow model that helped Metro Transit and its local partners understand funding needs and constraints, and we incorporated cost estimates, the master project schedule, Standard Cost Categories (SCC) workbooks and FTA reports to assess and mitigate risks. The team evaluated effects on the financial plan and developed a strategy to balance local funding plans with uncertainties related to New Starts funding.
Now in operation, Metro Transit’s Gold Line will serve and draw ridership from a broader area in the region as well, including the City of Minneapolis, Washington County, Ramsey County, Dakota County, Hennepin County and portions of western Wisconsin.
