Proposed Rail Lines
In its 2030 Transportation Policy Plan, the Metropolitan Council identifies Tier 1 lines for completion before 2020 and Tier 2 lines for completion after that. Note that cost and completion estimates for the Southwest light-rail line are from Hennepin County, based on its efforts to expedite the project. The Met Council estimates completion in the mid-2020s and gives no cost estimate. Meanwhile, the council has to reduce Central Corridor costs by $200 million to obtain federal funding.
| Name | Type | Route | Completion | Cost |
| Tier 1 Lines | ||||
| Central Corridor | Light Rail |
Downtown Minneapolis to downtown St. Paul |
2014 |
$932 million |
| Northstar | Heavy Rail |
Downtown Minneapolis to Big Lake (north of Elk River)
|
2009
|
$309.9 million
|
|
Tier 2 Lines |
||||
|
Southwest |
Light Rail |
Downtown Minneapolis to Eden Prairie (see possible) |
2015 |
$1.4 billion |
|
Red Rock Corridor |
Heavy rail and/or dedicated bus line |
Downtown St. Paul to Hastings |
Bus line could operate in a few years, rail later |
$422 million |
|
Rush Line Corridor |
Heavy rail and/or dedicated bus line |
Downtown St. Paul to Rush City |
Bus line before 2020, rail later |
N/A |
