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<br />I. Introduction <br /> <br />The proposed Northstar Corridor Rail Project (Project) will provide commuter <br />rail service along a 40-mile corridor from downtown Minneapolis to Big Lake, <br />Minnesota parallel to Trunk Highways 47 and 10. It will use existing rail <br />tracks owned by the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad (BNSF) and <br />include 6 stations. The commuter line is expected to carry 5,600 passengers <br />per day by the year 2025. The rail line will have inter-modal connections to <br />bus transit and to the Hiawatha Light Rail Transit (LRT) line. The Northstar <br />connection to LRT consists of a four-block extension on the north end of the <br />Hiawatha LRT to reach the downtown Minneapolis commuter rail station. <br />With the exception of the downtown Minneapolis station, all of the stations will <br />have park and ride facilities. <br /> <br />The Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT), the grantee, is <br />working closely with its partners, the Northstar Corridor Development <br />Authority (NCDA) and the Metropolitan Council, to deliver the Northstar <br />Project. The Northstar Project Office (NPO) was established with staff from <br />each partnering agency to oversee the implementation of the Project. <br /> <br />Since the last written report to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) , dated <br />July 2005, the following occurred and are described in this report: <br /> <br />· The SAFETEA-LU bill authorized $80 million for Northstar <br />· NPO submitted draft materials to FTA to seek a "Recommended" <br />rating and approval for entry into final design <br />· The Northstar Risk Assessment process began August 9, 2005 <br />· Continued to meet with city staff and elected officials regarding station <br />design, building codes and permit process <br />· BNSF design agreement kick-off meeting occurred August 4th <br />· FT A produced draft procurement system review report <br />· NCDA approved a contract on August 4th with Marsh USA, Inc. for <br />broker/insurance consulting services <br />· Continued Northstar public information efforts <br />· Conducted interviews for Deputy Director of Design position <br /> <br />Monthly Report <br />August 18, 2005 <br /> <br />-3- <br /> <br />Northstar Corridor Rail Project <br />