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~ commuter rail I <br /> news <br /> NOgTH TA <br /> <br /> O J' J'lOO ' S p r in g 2 0 0 1 <br /> <br />Governor Ventura's lean budget recognizes funding for <br />Northstar Corridor rail project as a priority <br /> <br />In the upcoming weeks, <br />Minnesota legislators will <br />decide whether to approve <br />this part of Gov. Ventura's <br />budget, making commuter rail <br />in the Northstar Corridor <br />closer to a reality. <br /> <br />Governor Ventura requested $115 million <br />in funding for the Northstar Corridor rail <br />project as part of his budget proposal. The <br />state's plan requests half the project's capital <br />cost be funded by the federal government. <br />A state commitment of funding for <br />transportation projects is required before <br />federal funds would be approved. Counties <br />along the Northstar Corridor have already <br />committed to 10% of the capital cost. The <br />funds appropriated this year will be used to <br /> <br />design and construct stations, upgrade the <br />tracks where needed and build a multi-modal <br />connection with the Hiawatha light rail line <br />in downtown Minneapolis. Minnesota <br />Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) <br />Commissioner Elwyn Tinklenberg said Gov. <br />Ventura's budget "represents a major step <br />forward for the project and for creation of <br />a passenger rail system to serve the region's <br />growing need for rail transit." <br /> <br />Northstar Corridor commuter rail facts <br /> <br />Northstar Corridor <br />According to the Minnesota <br />State Demographer, the <br />Northstar Corridor is the <br />single fastest growing area in <br />Minnesota. In addition, by <br />2020, the Twin City metro <br />area could add about <br />400,000 jobs and <br />grow in population by <br />roughly 650,000 people. <br /> <br />Length <br />80 miles, from downtown <br />Minneapolis to just north of <br />St. Cloud, encompassing 30 <br />cities, towns, counties and <br />rail authorities <br /> <br />Opening Date <br />Late 2004 <br /> <br />Projected Ridership <br />Over 9,300 per day <br />(2.8 million annually) <br /> <br />Development <br />Agencies <br />Mn/DOT, North- <br />star Corridor De- <br />velopment Author- <br />ity (NCDA), <br />Metropolitan <br />Council, Metro <br />Transit of the Twin <br />Cities, St. Cloud <br />Area Planning Or- <br />ganization, St. <br />Cloud Metro Transit <br />Commission <br /> <br />Nearly 2,000 people rode a commuter rail <br />demonstration train in August, 2000. <br /> <br />NEW AND IMPROVED] <br /> <br />Northstar <br />Corridor <br />web site <br /> <br />Check out the improved Northstar Corridor web site to access updated information <br />and see our new look. We are anxious to hear your comments, so log on and let <br />us know what you think! Also, be sure to sign up for Northstar e-mail updates. <br />http'//www. NorthstarTrain.org ~~, <br /> <br /> <br />