5.5. SR 11-20-2000 - Laserfiche WebLink

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I U^'UJ.~ vLv-,;JOOL uct Lb '00 16:01 P.02 ~~*-c?tL . DRAFT Northstar Corridor Development Authority 2001 Legislative Position The Northstar Corridor Development Authority {NCDA} has completed a Major Investment Study (MIS) on the corridor that extends along TH 10/47 from downtown Minneapolis to the City of St. Cloud and Rice, Minnesota. The conclusion of the MIS was the selection of a locally preferred transportation investment strategy that includes commuter rail, improvements to TH 10. river crossings and feeder bus improvements. The priority for implementation is commuter rail which will operate on an existing freight railway owned by the Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway Company. . The proposed Northstar commuter rail project was identified by the Minnesota Department of Transportation as the corridor ranked as the most promising for a cost effective system and the top priority for implementation. The Northstar Commuter Rail will include 12 stations located approximately 5 miles apart, park and ride facilities at most locations, and feeder bus services. Eighteen trains per day are expected to provide service to approximately 10,000 riders. The Federal Transit Administration has rated the Northstar Corridor Commuter Rail Project as "recommended" and authorized preliminary engineering, the next phase of project development. The estimated capital cost of the project is $231,000,000 (2004 dollars), including vehicles, stations, a maintenance facility, layover facilities and capacity improvements to the BNSF Railroad. The estimated annual operating cost, including feeder bus service, is $14,500,000 (2004 dollars). It is anticipated that fares collected will cover 30-50'% of the operating costs. The United States Congress has acted to fully authorize the construction of commuter rail in the Northstar Corridor and has appropriated planning and engineering funding for the last several years. The State of Minnesota has provided matching funds for these appropriations. It is proposed that Congress appropriate 50% of the $231 million capital costs, the State of Minnesota 40% and the counties or regional railroad authorities 10%. Note that Hennepin, Anoka, Sherburne and Benton Counties or Regional Railroad Authorities have already committed the locaJ portion of the funding. . Proposed Legislative Position: 1) Tha.t the Northstar Corridor DeV(~~lopment Authority supports a request to the Legislature for $92,000,000 (40% of the capital costs of the Northstar Commuter Rail Project); and 2) The Northstar Corridor Development Authority further supports a request for the identification of a funding source for operating costs not covered by fare collection.