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~'-aft Status Report on the Northstar Commuter Rail Project. June 7, 2001 <br /> <br />MAJOR <br />INVESTMENT <br />STUDY <br /> <br />Major Investment Study <br />A. Introduction <br />In 1998, the Northstar Corridor Development Authority (NCDA) <br />initiated a Major Investment Study (MIS) to evaluate and select the <br />most appropriate transportation improvements for the TH 10/47 <br />corridor between downtown Minneapolis and the St. Cloud area. <br />The MIS is the first step in the FTA's project development process. <br />The MIS was conducted in two phases. The Phase I MIS defined <br />and evaluated the universe of alternative transportation <br />improvements in the corridor and identified five multi-modal <br />strategies for further consideration. The Phase II MIS further <br />refines the five strategies, evaluates the strategies, and identifies a <br />Locally Preferred Transportation Investment Strategy (LPTIS). <br />(Document on file at the Anoka County Government Center.) <br /> <br />B. Purpose and Need <br />The need for transportation improvements in the TH 10/47 corridor <br />is based on the following factors: <br /> <br />Imbalance Between Travel Demand and Travel Supply- The <br />Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) projects peak <br />period congestion on TH 10 from Elk River to the east and capacity <br />deficiencies on highways and bridges throughout the corridor by <br />2020. <br /> <br />Lack of Multi-Modal Transportation Choices - An effective, long- <br />term, coordinated response to congestion will require a <br />commitment by affected governmental units to implement <br />strategies that provide alternative modes of travel and encourage <br />behavioral and land use changes that reduce travel demand. <br /> <br />Lack of Coordination Between Transportation Investments and <br />Land Use Development - At present there is no system in place to <br />address corridor-wide changing land use and transportation <br />conditions. <br /> <br />High Accident Rate Along the TH 10/47 Corridor - Accident rates in <br />the majority of the corridor are currently higher than the Mn/DOT <br />statewide average for the same type of roadway. <br /> <br />Increase Mobility on TH 10/47 - Many segments of TH 10 have <br />closely spaced signalized intersections and access driveways that <br />conflict with the mobility function of a principal arterial. <br /> <br />Northstar Corridor Development Authority 5 <br /> <br /> <br />