6.1. SR 01-12-2004 NCDA
Resolution 2004-01
Approving Phase One of Northstar
Commuter Rail Development
WHEREAS, the Northstar Corridor Development Authority (NCDA) was formed
in May of 1997 by joint powers agreement among the 30 counties, county regional
railroad authorities, cities and towns along the Northstar Corridor from Minneapolis to
the City of Rice; and
WHEREAS, the Minnesota Department of Transportation has identified the Trunk
Highway 10 (TH10) corridor as one of the most congested corridors in the state of
Minnesota; and
WHEREAS, the sole purpose of the NCDA is to address the transportation needs
of the TH 10/Northstar Corridor; and
WHEREAS, in December, 1999, the NCDA selected commuter rail serving the
corridor from Minneapolis to Rice as the centerpiece of its locally preferred
transportation investment strategy; and
WHEREAS, the NCDA, in conjunction with the Minnesota Department of
Transportation, has completed preliminary engineering and the environmental review of
the proposed project; and
WHEREAS, the NCDA and the State of Minnesota are seeking federal New
Starts funding for 50% of the capital costs of the project; and
WHEREAS, as a New Starts project, the Northstar Commuter Rail Project must
meet Federal Transit Administration (FTA) guidelines and regulations in order to qualify
for federal funding; and
WHEREAS, the FTA's Reporting Instructions for the Section 5309 New Starts
Criteria, June 2003, has a new measure of cost-effectiveness that evaluates travel time
savings for all transit riders; and
WHEREAS, the segment of the Northstar Corridor between Big Lake and
Minneapolis meets the new cost-effectiveness threshold established by the FTA:
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT Resolved that the Northstar Corridor Development
Authority:
1) Approves the Phase One Project definition that includes the portion of the
corridor between Big Lake and Minneapolis, with stations at Big Lake, Elk
River, Anoka, Riverdale, Fridley and Downtown Minneapolis; and
2) Commits to work with the Minnesota Congressional Delegation to seek other
sources of federal funding to complete the double tracking between Becker
and Big Lake in order to enhance the safety of the railroad and to facilitate the
extension of the commuter rail project from Big Lake to the Greater St. Cloud
Area.
3) Strongly urges that Governor Pawlenty support the Minneapolis to Big Lake
segment of the Northstar Corridor Commuter Rail Project and include the
funding necessary to match federal and local funds in the 2004 Bonding
Proposal; and
4) Reaffirms its commitment to the entire Northstar Corridor Project to eventually
include service to the Greater St. Cloud Area; and
Duane Grandy, Chairperson
Certification
I hereby certify that the foregoing resolution is a true and correct copy of the resolution
presented to and adopted by the Northstar Corridor Development Authority at a duly
authorized meeting thereof held on the 8th day of January, 2004 as shown by the
minutes of said meeting in my possession.
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