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<br />IV. Project Staffing <br /> <br />The Deputy Director of Design position within the Northstar Project Office has <br />been filled on an interim basis by a combination of Jon Olson, the Anoka <br />County Public Services Division Manager and registered engineer, and Ken <br />Stevens, a long time consultant to the Northstar Corridor Development <br />Authority and former director of the Hennepin County Regional Railroad <br />Authority. Metro Transit has begun a national search to fill the position. <br /> <br />A senior engineer from Mn/DOT, Bryan Dodds, accepted the Environmental <br />Engineer position in the Northstar Project Office and began work on May 9, <br />2005. He will direct the preparation of any required environmental <br />documentation and ensure that all promised mitigation measures are fulfilled. <br />Mn/DOT also plans to post another engineer position in the near future. <br /> <br />V. Advanced Design <br /> <br />Advanced design is underway, with the assistance of two teams of consultants. <br />A team led by Kimley Horn and Associates (KHA) is responsible for the six <br />commuter rail stations and the maintenance facility including the central control <br />facility. A team led by L TK Engineering (L TK) is responsible for the LR T <br />Connection and providing technical support for KHA's work on the commuter <br />rail stations and maintenance facility. The entire project design team meets on a <br />weekly basis. <br /> <br />Both teams submitted draft preliminary engineering validation reports for most <br />of their areas of responsibility. These reports validate the original preliminary <br />engineering completed in 200 I, provide replacement preliminary engineering <br />plans reflecting changes in the conditions or project since 2001, or identify <br />issues to be addressed as the design advances. These reports will be carefully <br />reviewed by Mn/DOT, NCDA, and Metro Transit to ensure they fulfill project <br />requirements. <br /> <br />An issue that is currently being addressed is the best location for the grade <br />separated pedestrian crossings at the Coon Rapids and Fridley stations. Project <br />staff are working with the host cities to determine locations that will best serve <br />transit patrons while fitting into the surrounding neighborhoods. <br /> <br />Project staff and consultants meet bi-weekly with the City of Minneapolis on <br />design issues of the LR T Connection and inter-modal station. Periodic <br />meetings are also held with the State Historic Preservation Office and <br />Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Commission to get their input and <br />concurrence on the proposed plans because of the adjacent Warehouse Historic <br />District. Project staffwill continue to work with these organizations to fulfill <br />the programmatic agreement regarding cultural resources that was included in <br />the Project's Record of Decision. <br /> <br />Northstar Corridor Monthly Report <br />May 17,2005 <br /> <br />6 <br /> <br />