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NOBTllSTAR <br /> l OJ BIDOJ <br />Development Authority <br /> <br />December 2001 <br /> <br />UPDATE <br /> <br />2002 Legislative Session - Do or Die for Northstar <br /> <br />While public support for the Northstar commuter rail <br />system remains very strong, there is a major hurdle to <br />cross before it becomes a reality. It is not a 'done deal' <br />yet. In the last two sessions, the Minnesota Legislature <br />has not provided the funding necessary to begin <br />construction for the project. If funding is not authorized <br />this session, the commuter rail option for the Northstar <br />Corridor will be finished. <br /> <br />Governor Jesse Ventura has made it clear that he is a <br />strong supporter of Northstar and will include a request <br />for $120 million in bonding authorization for the project <br />in the next legislative session, which begins January 29, <br />2002. The money, which will leverage an additional <br />$174 million from the federal government, will be used <br />to build station sites, purchase rail cars and engines and <br />get the system up and running by December 2005. <br /> <br />Calling Legislators is Key <br /> <br />A recent survey found that eighty percent of <br />corridor residents support the Northstar project <br />and many people are working hard to make sure it <br />receives the necessary funding. But you-should <br />consider yourself to be the most important <br />supporter of this project. A phone call or <br />hand-written letter to your representative and <br />senator explaining why you feel Northstar is <br />important will make a difference. In order to <br />make informed decisions on important matters <br />like these, legislators need to hear from their <br />constituents. Call and write to them today! <br /> <br />To find your State Senator or Representative <br />or learn more about the Northstar commuter <br />rail project, please visit our new web site at <br />www.mn-GetOnBoard.com. You can find contact <br />information for legislators, register for more <br />information or leave a comment about why you <br />support commuter rail. <br /> <br /> You can also call 651-296-2146 or <br /> 1-800-657-3550 to find your <br /> State Representative. <br /> <br /> Or call 651-296-0504 or <br /> 1-888-234-1112 to find your <br /> State Senator. <br /> <br /> It's up to YOU! <br />Please contact your legislators today! <br /> <br /> Transportation Officials: <br /> Congestion Bad- and Getting Worse <br /> <br />We have all noticed that traffic congestion along the <br />corridor has gotten significantly worse in the past few <br />years. While it is bad today it is going to get much worse <br />very soon unless other options like commuter rail are <br />available. <br /> <br />Population growth in our area is expected to grow at <br />a high rate for the foreseeable future. This will bring <br />about more traffic and, naturally, worse congestion. For <br />example, according to Mn/DOT, in just 10 years the <br />congestion on Highway 10 from Anoka to Blaine will be <br />about as bad as congestion is today at 35W and 694 one <br />of the most congested areas in the Twin Cities. <br /> <br />[~] = 1990 I = 2000 ~ = 2025 <br /> <br /> 0 <br /> <br />Northstar Corridor Development Authority <br />2100 3rd Avenue, Anoka, Minnesota 55303-2265 <br />1-888-478-NSTAR (6782) <br />www. mn. GetOnBoard. com <br /> <br /> <br />