5.3. SR 11-19-2001 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

I. Introduction II. III. IV. Since the last Quarterly Review Meeting (QRM) with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), held on July 26, 2001, the Northstar Corridor Rail Project (Project) has continued making progress. The multi-modal connection preliminary design plan was approved by the City of Minneapolis and Hennepin County. Comments have been received on the draft Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) and a finalized version is nearing completion. The Project submitted New Starts Criteria reflecting a Minimum Operable Segment (MOS) fi.om Minneapolis to Big Lake, Minnesota, including the multi-modal connection, on September 28, 2001. After discussions with the FTA, the New Starts Criteria is now being updated to cover the entire corridor fi.om Minneapolis to Rice, Minnesota, and will be resubmitted approximately November 9, 2001. Funding and the MOS As mentioned in the introduction, New Starts Criteria for a MOS from Minneapolis to Big Lake, including the multi-modal connection, was submitted to the FTA on September 28, 2001. There is, however, a great deal of local support for continuing to build the project through to the St. Cloud/Rice area. Based on discussions with the FTA, the Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) will resubmit the New Starts Criteria for the full Northstar Corridor from Minneapolis to Rice, including the multi-modal connection. This new submittal is expected on November 9, 2001. The top priority in the Mn/DOT capital budget'request is $ i20 million for the Northstar Corridor Rail Project. This Would cover a 40% state share for the entire commuter rail corridor to Rice, as well as a 50% state share for the multi-modal connection. This will be evaluated within the Governor's budget request, which will be finalized around the end of this year and, if included, presented to the 2002 Minnesota legislature during the next session. Preliminary Engineering (PE) The PE package was submitted to FTA on June 1, 2001. Comments have been received fi.om the Project Management Oversight Consultant (PMOC) and several local jurisdictions. Most comments will be addressed during the £mal design phase of the project. The capital cost estimate, Project Management Plan, and Financial Plan were updated in the September 28 New Starts Criteria submittal. These will be revised again in the November 9 New Starts Criteria submittal. New Starts Criteria The Project's New Starts Criteria for the commuter rail MOS fi.om Minneapolis to Big Lake, including the multi-modal connection, was submitted to the Washington, DC, and the Chicago Region V offices of the FTA on September 28. Another copy Northstar Corridor Quarterly Report October 3 I, 2001