Laserfiche WebLink
KEY POINTS <br /> <br />Conclusions of local economist Paul Anton: <br /> > Benefits of Northstar commuter rail outweigh cost <br /> · $2.97 of benefits for every $1.00 invested by the state <br /> · $1.15 of benefits for every $1.00 invested by state, <br /> governments <br /> · Benefits can be delivered to the public by late 2006 <br /> <br />local and federal <br /> <br />Northstar commuter rail is the most cost-effective transportation choice for <br />this corridor <br /> · Cost comparison: Construction and 15 years of operations <br /> · Northstar: $502 million <br /> · Hwy. 10 upgrade: $1.02 billion <br /> · Busway: $749 million <br /> · Less expensive to add additional capacity to commuter rail <br /> <br />Conclusion of national, conservative rail advocate Paul Weyrich: <br /> > "It's as sound a piece of work as I have seen in <br /> examining projects." <br /> <br />many years of <br /> <br />~ LU <br /> <br />Northstar Corridor Development Authority: <br />The Northstar Corridor needs transportation improvements · Fastest growing corridor in Minnesota <br /> · Growth in population, housing and jobs outstrips the transportation system <br /> · High accident rate and longer travel times affecting corridor residents and <br /> businesses <br /> · No scheduled, funded highway solution in the 20-year plan from the Minnesota <br /> Department of Transportation <br /> <br />Northstar <br /> · <br /> <br /> · <br /> <br />commuter rail will work <br />77% of residents support Northstar - 82% would use the service <br />Northstar line moves people to where they want to go: - Jobs <br /> - Higher education <br /> - Shopping and entertainment <br /> - Medical care <br />Commuter rail provides value to the public: - Clean, safe vehicles <br /> - Convenient park and ride lots <br /> - Reasonable cost of service <br /> - Travel not delayed by weather or traffic congestion <br /> <br /> <br />