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FACT <br /> <br />Funding Highway 10 improvements is more cost effective. <br /> <br />According to MnDOT there are neither plans nor funds earmarked for the next <br />20 years for a Highway 10 upgrade. A roads-only approach in the Hwy10/47 <br />corridor is not cost effective When compared to costs of the commuter rail <br />system. For example, it will cost more than $900 million in 2002 dollars to <br />expand highway 10 from Minneapolis to Rice/St. Cloud. <br /> <br />Myth <br /> <br />,FACT <br /> <br />Northstar surveys show that most people would use the train to go to <br />the airport or Mall of America, not to commute to work. <br /> <br />Surveys show that 23% of corridor residents are interested in using the <br />service to get to work. If 10% of commuters used Northstar, we would need to <br />add more cars and/or increase service immediately. If residents use Northstar <br />for shopping or pleasure, fare box recovery will be even better than projected. <br /> <br />Myth <br /> <br />FACT <br /> <br />Commuter rail doesn't work. <br /> <br />According to the FTA's National Transit Database, nationwide transit ridership <br />has increased every year since 1996. In 1999 and 2000, the growth in trips on <br />transit actually increased more than the growth in trips by automobile travel. <br />18 commuter rail systems are currently operating in the country, 21 more are <br />proposed. <br /> <br />Myth <br /> <br />FACT <br /> <br />80% of Highway 10 construction costs could be shifted to the federal <br />government. <br /> <br />If the goal is to bring more federal funds to Minnesota, that can be most <br />effectively accomplished by supporting the Northstar project, not Highway 10 <br />construction. Federal gas tax dollars for highways are allocated to the states <br />by formula. Minnesota currently utilizes all available federal highway <br />construction dollars. Any additional projects would need to be funded with <br />100% state dollars. Federal gas tax dollars set aside for transit are allocated <br />partially by formula and partially by a nation-wide competitive fund. Northstar <br />currently has "recommended" status by the FTA in the nation-wide <br />competitive fund and is included in President Bush's recommended budget for <br />fiscal 2003. <br /> <br />p. 5 May 9, 2002 <br /> <br /> <br />