4.8. SR 02-22-2000 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Item # 6.8. MEMORANDUM TO: FROM: DATE: SUBJECT: Mayor and City Council Scott Harlicker, Senior Planne~ February 22,2000 Northstar Corridor Update At the Northstar Corridor Development Authority meeting held on February 3rd the Authority received information on the process for preliminary engineering, listened to a report on the legislative update, listened to a presentation on potential railroad capacity improvements heard an update on the next series of open houses. The staff is currently working with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) on getting the approval to proceed with preliminary engineering. FTA approval is necessary prior to beginning preliminary engineering. On a related topic, the draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) has been finished and is being circulated for comments. At the state legislature, the Governor's proposal includes funding for the Northstar Corridor. In general, overall reaction to the Northstar Corridor continues to be positive. The Met Council has identified the Northstar Corridor as a priority corridor for T21 funding. At the national level, Congressman Oberstar and Senator Grams continue to be supportive of the Corridor and continue to work for federal funds. The consultants presented information on possible improvements to the Burlington Northern rail line to increase future capacity. The improvements outlined in the packet are preliminary and are under negotiation between the NCDA and Burlington Northern. Only those improvements necessary to handle the increase in traffic generated by the proposed commuter rail will be funded by the NCDA. The next series of open houses will be at the end of February and first week of March. There is an open house scheduled for Elk River on Thursday, March 2nd from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. The open house will be held at the Sherburne County Government Center.