4.4. SR 03-15-1999 - Laserfiche WebLink

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. Overview In mid-1998 the first phase of the NorthstarCorridor Major Investment Study (MIS) between Minneapolis and the St. "Cloud area was initiated. This initial phase of the planning projeCt produced the following three major products. · The purpose and need for transportation imI'rovements in the corridor. · An initial screening of the universe of modal alternatives that resulted in three multiniodal transportation strategies for futher analysis. All of the build str!ltegies include commuter rail service between Minneapolis and the St. Cloud area. A No- Build and a Transportation Management strategy will also be further analyzed during the completion of the MIS. · A feasibility analysis of commuter rail service in the corridor. The conclusion of the analysis of commuter rail service is that the service is feasible. The four major supporting factors are as follows: · There is a strong indication based on demand capacity modeling conducted by BNSF that sufficient capacity to accommodate the proposed commuter rail service could be developed with capacity and operational improvements to accommodate both freight and commuter rail. . · The forecasts of ridership, the capital cost estimate, and the operating and maintenance cost estimate are very comparable to recently built systems. · No major negative environmental impacts are expected. · The recently completed MnDOT Commuter Rail Study concluded that commuter rail was feasible in the Twin Cities and that the Northstar Corridor was the priority corridor. When the MIS was initiated, the plan was to complete the MIS in two phases with the second starting when funding was available in 1999. Given the conclusions of the first phase of the MIS, the plan is slightly modified to proceed with the project development process as follows: · Complete the MIS over the next nine to twelve months with the product being the definition of the Locally Preferred Transportation Investment Strategy for the Northstar Corridor. · Since all build alternatives still under consideration contain the commuter rail mode, : advance this component with a MIS/NEPA integrated process approach to address the environmental factors as part of the MIS. This approach is consistent with TEA- 21. . This document defines the work tasks to be conducted to complete the MIS and complete environmental clearance for commuter rail service. Work Program for Northstar Corridor MIS and EIS For the Proposed Commuter Rail Service February 25, 1999 ~- .~ ~ 1 Overview