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<br /> <br />OFFICE OF GOVERNOR TIM PAWLENTY <br />130 State Capitol + Saint Paul, MN 55155 + (651) 296-0001 <br /> <br />FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: <br />May 8, 2006 <br /> <br />Contact: Brian McClung <br />. (651) 296-0001 <br /> <br />GOVERNOR P A WLENTY ANNOUNCES AGREEMENT WITH <br />RAIL WAY FOR NORTHST AR COMMUTER RAIL PROJECT <br />- Agreement ensures the operation of commuter rail service for generations - <br /> <br />St. Paul- Calling it a major milestone in the development of the Northstar project, Governor <br />Pawlenty today announced an agreement in principle with the BNSF Railway Company <br />(BNSF) on financial terms for construction and general operation ofthe commuter rail line <br />from Big Lake to Minneapolis. <br /> <br />"The Northstar project is on track and on time. With this agreement, much needed commuter <br />rail in Minnesota is now closer to reality than ever," Governor Pawlenty said. "Northstar <br />means more transportation capacity and less congestion for commuters in one of the fastest <br />growing areas of the state." <br /> <br />The agreement between BNSF, the state of Minnesota, and the Northstar Corridor <br />Development Authority (NCDA), will allow the state to secure approval from the Federal <br />Transit Administration (FT A) for the "final design" phase of the project. When final federal <br />approval is received later this year, construction could start in 2007 with service scheduled to <br />begin in 2009. <br /> <br />"This is a major milestone toward bringing commuter rail service to the citizens of the Twin <br />Cities area," said Matthew K. Rose, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer ofBNSF <br />Railway Company, "and we look forward to working together to make this a reality." <br /> <br />The agreement outlines the framework for construction, maintenance and operation in the <br />Northstar corridor: <br />. BNSF will make all necessary capital improvements to their tracks and facilities to <br />accommodate and ensure the safe, efficient and on-schedule operation of commuter rail in <br />the corridor. <br />. The state will acquire property rights for commuter rail service on tracks within the BNSF <br />right-of-way. A one-time state payment of $1 07.5 million will secure these valuable <br />"easement" rights, ensuring the operation of commuter rail service for generations. <br /> <br />--more-- <br /> <br />www.governor.state.mn.us +(651) 296-0001 + (651) 296-0056 fax <br />