Northstar commuter rail stays on track

Project supported by Governor, House and Senate

The proposed Northstar commuter rail line has gained critical support from the federal government, Gov. Tim Pawlenty, and both the Minnesota House and Senate.

The House on April 12 approved $50 million for additional Northstar funding in its version of the state bonding bill, which is $10 million less than both the Senate and Governor recommended in March. The Northstar project budget requires the full $60 million to provide the full local match for the federal funding.

The House and Senate bills now move to a conference committee to work out the differences in coming weeks. A final decision is due before the session adjourns May 22.

Federal approval would move project into final design

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) in March announced that it plans to recommend approval for Northstar to move into the final design phase of project development. This approval is necessary before the $307 million project can secure a full funding grant agreement and move ahead toward revenue service.

Coon Rapids commuter rail station design

The design of the commuter rail station in Coon Rapids is shown here. The line will connect to bus service at the station.

Mark Fuhrmann, deputy general manager of Metro Transit and Northstar project director, said the FTA’s recent announcement was critical. But he cautioned that “there are important steps still ahead before all is said and done.”

Productive negotiations continue with Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway, which owns the rails and right-of-way, about how much the company will be paid to prepare its freight tracks for passenger service and other issues.

Dozens of cities lined up for funding

If all the complex arrangements aren’t resolved in a timely fashion, Northstar would lose its priority ranking for final FTA approval and would drop to “the end of the line,” Fuhrmann said. Dozens of other projects across the country are in line for federal funding.

“Cities like Seattle, Portland, Denver and Dallas are vying for the funds, and there are many, many more,” Fuhrmann said. “Public support for the line is very good: 74 percent in the Northstar corridor and 67 percent statewide support approval of the final $60 million of state funding this year.”

“The FTA review process has become increasingly rigorous, and competition for federal dollars is intense,” said Tim Yantos, executive director of the Northstar Corridor Development Authority. “This acknowledgement speaks to the strength of the Northstar project and sends a clear signal that Northstar commuter rail is a smart investment for the state.”

Metropolitan Council Member Natalie Steffen, a longtime advocate of Northstar, is thrilled with the latest news. She said the support is well-deserved. “Northstar is building on the success of Hiawatha LRT, which is clearly doing extremely well,” she said.

Steffen, who lives in Ramsey, and whose Council district includes the Northstar line, also said, “Northstar will provide economic opportunities and a much-needed option for connecting people with jobs.”