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5.3. SR 12-17-2001Item 5.3. City MEMORANDUM TO: FROM: DATE: SUBJECT: Mayor and City Council _~// Scott Harlicker, Senior Planne December 17, 2001 Northstar Corridor Update At the NCDA meeting held on December 6th the Authority listened to a presentation from Mn/DOT on the Inter-Regional Corridor Study. The presentation included traffic projections for the next 20 years and efforts to deal with the increase. The Authority also received an update on the state legislature. Individual legislators are being contacted and asked to support funding for the Northstar Corridor. The communities of Minneapolis, Fridley, Coon Rapids and Anoka gave presentations on transit oriented developments in their communities. The Authority is also trying to schedule a live demonstration; a train may available at the end of January. A demonstration is tentatively scheduled for January 28t". S:\PLAN NING\SCOTT~ITEM.DOC NCDA Agenda Thursday, December 6, 2001 4:30 p.m. Sherburne County Government Center Elk River, MN Minutes of the November 1, 2001 NCDA Meeting* Executive Committee/Capital Budget Committee Report a) Benton County Regional Railroad Authority Membership* b) Update on Plan B c) Contracts for 2002* Intergovernmental Coordination Committee Report a) Update on Legislative Activities Report on Local Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Activities (Minneapolis, Fridley, Coon Rapids, and Anoka) Inter-Regional Corridor Study Update by Brian Isaacson Other a) Set Next Meeting: January 3, 2002? * Documentation Enclosed Also enclosed: Letter of Support from St. Cloud State University Action Requested Approval Approval Information Approval Information Information Information DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT NORTHSTAR CORRIDOR DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY Regular Meeting Minutes November 1, 2001 The Northstar Corridor Development Authority met in regular session on November 1,2001, in the Board Room at the Sherburue County Government Center, Elk River, Minnesota. Present were: Betsy Wergin, Tim Yantos, Lynn George, Renee Zeleny, Tom Wenzel, Eugene Young, Ken Stevens, Jeff Dehler, Patrick Sexton, Jason Tidemann, David Loch, Brian Bensen, Jan Lucke, Norman Foster, Dartrell Lipscomb, Dean Michalko, Jim Barton, Janice Halvorson, Patrick Wuzzo, Elliott Perovich, Robert Kirchner, James Norman, Mike Rogers, Rick Speak, Luci Botzek, Kate Garwood, Ross Kramer, Linda Jungwirth, Ann-Theresa Schmid, Jean Keely, Kirsti Marolm, Bruce Lambrecht, Gery Then, John Himle, Ray Friedl, Ken Paulson, Lewis Stark, John Weaver, Bob Jolmson, John Ellenbecker, Ewald Petersen, John Norgren, Duane Cekalla, Duane Grandy, Patrick Cairns, Mark Stenglein, Dan Erhart, Scott Harlicker, Paul Ostrow, Steve Billings, Dave Saunders, Paul McCarron, Mike Schadauer, Mukhtar Thakur, Mary Richardson, Elwin Tinklenberg The meeting was called to order at 4:37 p.m. by Chairperson Betsy Wergin. A motion was made by Ewald Peterson, seconded by Duane Grandy, and carried unanimously to approve the agenda of Thursday, November 1,2001, as presented, and the meeting minutes of October 6, 2001, as presented. Executive Committee/Capital Budget Committee Report: a) John Himle, Himle Homer, updated members on public information activities. Mr. Himle announced a new web site for the Northstar Project at www.mn- GetOnBoard.com. Mr. Himle noted the web site will appear on four billboards in the Northstar Corridor, two between Minneapolis and Big Lake and two between Big Lake and St. Cloud. Mr. Himle also said that hundreds of point-of-purchase displays will be strategically placed at establishments in the Northstar Corridor. Mr. Himle said the campaign also includes car window hangers, bumper stickers and buttons. Mr. Himle said that support for the Northstar Project is high, and the goal of the campaign is to deepen that support by getting people involved. b) Jeff Dehler distributed a packet of information about the Northstar Project for members to use when meeting with citizens, businesses, and elected officials. Jeff Dehler introduced Jason Tidemann, who is under contract by Himle Homer to meet with businesses, associations and community organizations in the Northstar Corridor and encourage them to pass resolutions of support and draft letters of support for the Northstar Project. Page 1 c) Mary Richardson said a commuter rail static display was provided at a meeting of the Senate Capital Investment Committee, area Legislators, and local elected officials in St. Cloud on October 22, 2001. Mary Richardson noted there was to be a Sounder Train for Legislators to ride to St. Paul, but due to recent national events, the train could not make the trip. Additional information will be provided when the demonstration is rescheduled. d) A motion was made by Mark Stenglein, seconded by John Norgren and carried unanimously to approve Resolution #2001-09, which sponsors the exhibition of a commuter rail train and authorizes the NCDA Chairperson or Vice Chairperson to enter into agreements with the National Railroad Passenger Corporation ("Amtrak"), Bombardier Transit Corporation, SoundTransit and/or other parties which are necessary or convenient for the commuter rail train exhibition; provided, however, that the amounts payable under these agreements shall not exceed the amounts that the Anoka County Regional Railroad Authority contributes for this purpose, and that the NCDA authorizes the addition of the SoundTransit, Bombardier Transit Corporation, the ACRRA and/or other necessary parties as additional insureds to its general liability policy for purposes of this event. Commuter Rail Coordinating Committee Report (CRCCC) Report: a) Northstar Corridor Commuter Rail Project Funding Source Talking Points, drafted by the Mn/DOT, dated October 19, 2001, was reviewed. The Talking Points addressed financing plans for funding the Corridor between Big Lake and Rice. Commissioner Tinklenberg discussed the financing of Northstar commuter rail between Big Lake and Rice. Commissioner Tinklenberg said that FTA agrees with Mn/DOT that it would be premature to eliminate the entire corridor for state funding. Commissioner Tinklenberg said that FTA is allowing the Mn/DOT to resubmit its funding application to include commuter rail between Big Lake and Rice for the preliminary rating. Commissioner Tinklenberg noted that the Mn/DOT expects to resubmit on November 2. Commissioner Tinklenberg outlined the following steps to final design: (1) preliminary rating, (2) commitment of state and local funds, (3) final rating, and (4) final design. Commissioner Tinklenberg said the focus of the Mn/DOT will be on securing the state match for Northstar commuter rail next legislative session. Commissioner Tinklenberg said the Mn/DOT's message is that state matching funds must be committed this legislative session to obtain federal funding; there is no alternative. Commissioner Tinklenberg noted that the full $120 million is being proposed to be included in the budget presented to the Governor for consideration. b) Mike Schadauer, Mn/DOT, presented an operations update on the Northstar Commuter Coach (NCC). The NCC provides 8 inbound and 8 outbound trips each day. Between October 1 and October 17, the number of passengers increased 53%. Detailed operations data is not available since the service has just entered its third week of operation. More information will be provided at a future meeting. Page 2 o c) Mike Schadauer reviewed the proposed source of operating and maintenance funds for Northstar Commuter Rail with operation scheduled to begin in 2007. No action was taken. d) Mike Schadauer gave a brief update on the recent meeting with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) indicating that when state funding is approved, the project will begin in full force. Mike Schadauer noted that Northstar and Mn/DOT officials are reviewing the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS). Mn/DOT hopes to put the FEIS on public notice in JanumT 2002, and finalize it in March 2002. Mike Schadauer said that Mn/DOT will be moving forward with FTA's value engineering requirements by hiring consultants to look at the plans to determine whether anything can be done the same or better with less funds. Legislative Update: a) The Inter-Governmental Coordinating Comrnittee (Paul McCarron, Betsy Wergin, Rick Speak, Jolm Ellenbecker) provided a legislative update. The next strategy meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, November 13,2001. Paul McCarron indicated that plans are being made to meet with legislators and press in their local areas to discuss the project. Betsy Wergin asked that each NCDA member renew its resolution of support for the Northstar Commuter Rail Project before the December 6 NCDA meeting. Betsy Wergin asked NCDA members to contact their legislatures as soon as possible to ask for their support. Betsy Wergin also asked NCDA members to approach businesses and organizations they are affiliated with requests for resolutions and letters of support. Jeff Dehler noted that Jason Tidemann and NCDA staff are available to assist NCDA members with this task. Ken Stevens presented information on the Downtown Minneapolis Multi-Modal Station Area Plan. The Plan is a study of land use, traffic patterns and transit and pedestrian facilities within a ~/2 mile radius of the proposed Multi-Modal Station between 5th and 7th Streets along the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad tracks. Additional information will be provided in the near future. Other business: Updated NCDA/CRCCC directories were distributed. The next meeting of the Northstar Corridor Development Authority is set for December 6, 2001, at 4:30 p.m. at the Sherburne County Government Center. The Authority adjourned by unanimous consent at 5:50 p.m. Betsy Wergin Chairperson Date Page 3 Agenda Item #2a MEMORANDUM November 29, 2001 To: From: Subject: NCDA Executive Committee / Capital Budget Committee Joint Powers Agreement: Benton County Regional Railroad Authority Attached is a copy of Benton County Resolution 2001 ,,¥49 as passed by the Benton County Board of Commissioners on November 11, 2001 in which Benton County RRA has requested and approved entering into the Joint Powers Agreement and its Amendment No. 1 with the NCDA. Amendment #1 of the NCDA's Joint Powers Agreement provides that additional units of government may be eligible to participate if approved by the NCDA. Action Requested: The Executive Committee / Capita Budget Committee recommends that the NCDA approve the BCRRA as a member of the NCDA. Northstar Corridor Developtnent Authority 2100 3'" Avenue, Anoka, Minnesota 55303-2265 (763) 323-5700 Fax: (763) 32%5682 www.northstartrain.org BENTON COUNTY RESOLUTION 2001 - # z-/~ JOINT POWERS AGREEMENT WHEREAS, Trunk Highway 10 (TH10) from the Twin Cities to St. Cloud/RJce is a transportation corridor that runs through the fastest growing area in the State of Minnesota and such growth has created significant transportation, safety and land use issues; and 'WHEREAS, there are opportunities fora variety of multi-modal transportation improvements in the TI-I 10 corridor, including highway improvements, commuter and freight rail, recreation trails and Intelligent Transportation System (ITS); and WHEREAS, Benton County (the "County") in 1997 entered into a Joint Powers Agreement with various other counties, county regional railroad authorities, cities and torres for the purpose of addressing transportation needs along the Northstar Corridor, and such joint powers entity is known as the Northstar Corridor Developmen't Authori'tv (NCDA); and ' WHEREAS, in 1999, the NCDA amended the Joint Powers Agreement, allowing for additional governmental units to be eligible for membership in the NCDA, if approved by the NCDA; and WHERJEAS, Benton County Regional Railroad Authority (th.e "BCRRA") is a regional railroad authority org,-mized and existing as a political subdivision and local government unit pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, Section 398A.03; and WHEREAS, the Authority wishes to become a member of the NCDA. NOW, THEREFORE BE iT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE BENTON COUNTY REGIONAL RAILROAD AUTHORITY THAT: ATTEST: The BCRRA hereby requests the NCDA's approval for the BCRRA to enter into the Joint Powers Agreement and its Alnendment No. i, and authorizes its Chair to exectrte said agreement and amendment, The BCRRA hereby appoints Duane Cekalla, with oi~ so~k~ as alternate, as its representative member of the NCDA. Duane Grandy, Chair Benton County Board of Cammissioners J'~ ' Coordinator Rick ~y lt-&-ol Agenda Item #2c MEMORANDUM November 29, 2001 To: From: Subject: NCDA Executive Committee / Capital Budget Committee NCDA Contracts for 2002 Attached is the 2002 budget as approved by the NCDA on September 6, 2001. The contracts as proposed below are consistent with and set forth in the approved budget. The Executive Committee / Capital Budget Committee is requesting that the NCDA enter into: · Amendment No. 1 with Loch & Associates increasing the contract amount by $25,000 and extending the term of the contract through December 31, 2002; · Amendment No. 1 with Ken Stevens increasing the contract amount by $35,000 and extending the term of the contract through December 31, 2002; and · Amendment No. 1 with Richardson, Richter & Associates, Inc. increasing the contract amount by $50,000 and extending the term of the contract through December 31, 2002. The Executive Committee / Capital Budget Committee is also requesting that the NCDA enter into contracts with: · Messerlie & Kramer for an amount not to exceed $35,000 and a term of January 1 through December 31, 2002; · Capital Partnership for an amount not to exceed $35,000 and a term of January 1 through December 31, 2002; and · Mullenholz, Brimsek & Belair for an amount not to exceed $30,000 and a term of January 1 through December 31, 2002. Action Requested: The Executive Committee recommends that the NCDA approve the proposed 2002 contracts as shown above and authorize the Chair to finalize negotiations and execute the contract amendments. Northstar Corridor Development Authority 2100 3'd Avenue, Anoka, Minnesota 55303-2265 (763) 323-5700 Fax: f763) 323-5682 www. northstartrain.org Northstar Corridor Development Authority 2002 Budget As Approved September 6, 2001 1) Administrative Expense Note: Expenses include: Printing, postage, misc. expenses $25,000e $20,000 2) NCDA Administrative/Project Management $120,000~' $110,000'~' 3) Insurance $5,000 $10,000 4) Legislative Activities $100,000~'~ $100,000 Subtotal $250,000 $250,000 1) Right of Way/Final Design 2) Community and Public Involvement (Plan B) Subtotal $0 $2,5OO,OOO $0 $500,000 $0 $3,ooo,ooo I TOTAL I $250,000 I $3,250,000 ° Notes: This amount includes June 2001 through December 2001 expenses for K. Stevens, RRA and Loch & Associates. Period January 01 through May 01 was grant funded. Note: 2002 contracts with K. Stevens, RRA and Loch & Associates · °' Note: Federal - $65,000; State - $35,000 CLOUD STATE I V E R S 1 T' Y tradition of excetlenc'e .and oFFo.rtm~t9, ?hode(320) 25~-212Z November 9, 2001 Ms. B~tsy W~rg~m Chair, Nortl3. StarDeveloPmemt Amhority P.O. Box 985 St Cbud, MN 56302 i o .Star'0or ao Dear Ms: Wergen: The North Star ~orridor passm]g, crr. fil link from St. Cloud to the Twin Citie~ is, certainly [m important eCOnomic dev~opmea~t tool for the rogion in ~dit/on.to being an cnvironm~mlly sound transit progr~n, The proposed terminal On the .$0. uthe~st side of St. Cloud would'be of.particulg benefit to our. facutty,.staf£ and students, Approx',mxately one-tkird ofottr stt~lm~, and. many of our facU!tyi come ti-om thc Twin Citie~ metropolitan 'area with most o£them fro.m thc ,northwest suburbs. Thi~ rail service with ~u interrnodal link to MTC busoS, to se~wc Campus would be vm'y useful' 'and would'decrease passenger c~r. congestion. Please. l~t' m~ know ff there is ~ny additional way we can support progress on tti/s important project. Sincerely, Roy! gaigo Pres/' }t' Ludwig A college sponsor of the National Mm-it Scholarship' Program. TTY: 1-800-62 T-3529 SCSU is an a~lrrnat~ve action~equal opportunity educator and emplOYer. This material can be made available Ot an allcma~fvt fommz. Con~ct. ihe depar~rn~lat~ey listed above: 7F~'A CN:CT TN. Interregional Corridors Planning Update December 6, 2001 Northstar Corridor Development Authority Brian Isaacson, AICP - MnDOT Metro Planning Presentation Summary · Traffic in the Northwest Metro Area? · Interregional Corridor Management (IRC) Plans -TH 10 -TH 101/169 · Northwest Corridor and River Crossing Projected Traffic Growth ~TH 10 - Increases range from 41% to 109% (2000-2025) - 2025 Projected Volumes Coon Rapids- 116,000 Anoka- 75,000 Elk River - 42,000 · TH 101/169 - Increases range from 91% to 175% (2000 - 2025) - 2025 Projected Volumes Rogers - 95,000 Elk River - 83,000 4o,00o 40,ooo 60,o0o What roads have these volumes today? 8O,0OO 1-494 100, OOO 1-94 115,000 1-394 TH 10 Between Ramsey BIvd and Thurston TH 101 Between 1-94 and S. Diamond Lake TH 10 Between Round Lake Blvd and Hanson Between 1-94 and TH 55 Between Weaver Lake Road and 494/694 Between TH 169 and Hopkins Crossroad 2 Speed - TH 10 · Existing is slow in ^noka, Big Lake and Elk River... below target from Elk River to 1-35W · Future...Congested through Big Lake Location Today 2025 Ramsey 63 36 Big Lake 37 20 Bk River (East) 41 26 -'lk River (West) 64 40 Speeds are in miles per hour Speed - TH 101/169 · Existing is slow in Rogers and Elk River · Future well below target from Rogers through Zimmerman Location Today 2025 Rogers to Zimmerman 52 12 Zimmerman to Onamia 72 70 Onamia to Garrison 59 47 Speeds are in miles per hour 3 Recommendations · TH 10 - Freeway to Elk River, Capacity improvements/access management through Elk River · TH 101/169 - Freeway connecting to Princeton bypass, access management in Mille Lacs County Northwest Metro Corridor & River Crossing · Scoping - Improvements to existing facilities, identifying need for new alignment, ElS enabling corridor preservation by 2003 · Communities view potential bridge as opportunity for their communities to connect to Northstar · Construction not likely before 2015 4 Other issues · Projected Cost to reach target - TH 10 = +500 Million -TH 101/169 = +425 Million · Funding/Timing · Next steps... · System Connectivity/Dependency · Urban development in rural setting Interstate, US, and State Highways County State Aid Highways County, Township, and Local Roads r-'-'l county Borders ~ Municipalities ~ State Parks and Forests Illll Open Water ~ Streams ., ,,"~.,. ' Railroads 62 MPH 59 MPH 61 MPH 63 MPH 64 MPH 37 MPH 41 MPH Legend 4' 29 MPH ~- 39 MPH 40 - 49 MPH 0 - 59 MPH ,i~60 - 69 MPH Note: The travel times depicted are an average of eastbound travel during Ihe AM rash hour and westbound travel during the PM rush hour. 63 MPH 51 o 30 MPH 48 MPH ~ Interstate, US, and State Highways ~ County State Aid Highways '~ .....~ County, Township, and Local Roads r""l county Borders r'~ Municipalities State Parks and Forests Open Water Streams Railroads 65 MPH Existing Travel Speeds by Growth Segment Highway 10 Interregional Corridor Study 60 MPH -- 47 MPH 59 MPH 57 MPH 20 MPH 35 MPH 40 MPH 26 MPH Legend .20 - 29 MPH 130- 39 MPH 40 - 49 MPH / 50 - 59 MPH 60 - 69 MPH Note: The travel times depicted ara an average of eastbound travel during the AM rush hour and westbound travel during the PM rush hour. 60 55 36 MPH 40.5 41.5 29 MPH 44 MPH 57 MPH Peak Period Weekday Travel Speed Performance M#le Lacs Lake LACS Garrison CROW WING What does this map tell us about the corridor? .Entire Corridor While the current peak hour weekday travel speed between Rogers and Garrison is acceptable, future speeds will drop as traffic increases. Year 2001 SHERBURNE Zimmerman I WRIGHT ~ ½ Rogers : / / HENNEPIN Year 20'~5 .Rogers to Zimmerman Peak period congestion is already here today, and, without roadway improvements, this congestion will worsen in the future. · Zimmerman to Onamia Growth is coming, but roadway improvements built over the past 20 years will continue to accommodate future traffic (with proper corridor management). · Onamia to Garrison The poor future performance confirms the need for roadway improvements being studied in a separate Environmental Impact Statement. TH 101 -TH 169 Corridor Management Plan ~ CH2MHILL Existing and Forecasted Daily Traffic What do these maps tell us about the corridor? 1998 O] ~o~~~,3oo 2o2~! ~ ~ 155,400 SHER~KRNE Elk River t 32% Increase (31,500 vehicles) 159% increase (51,550 vehicles) · Traffic volumes throughout the corridor will double by the year 2025. · The greatest increases in traffic volumes will be in the subareas with the greatest level of development (Rogers/Otsego and Elk River). What roads have these volumes today? Rogers to Zimmerman 40,000 TH 10 Between Ramsey Blvd and Thurston Ave 60,000 TH 10 Between Round Lake Blvd and Hanson 80,000 1-494 Between 1-94 and TH 55 100,000 1-94 Between Weaver Lake Road and 494~694 I :=':=:, I t )namla 1998 [~ 9,900 20,5~$,450 [ 91%i ....... 2025 1 , 118,900 (9,000vehicles) ,998~,8~°s°.zoo '---~? I-n%, ...... 20~5~ ~ .... ~:;~;- (15,700 vehicles) 2025] 1998 O~ ~" 132%, ....... 20261 Zimmerman to Garris6n TH 101 - TH 169 Corridor Management Plan ,~ CH2MHILL NOBTllSTAR l OJ BIDOJ Development Authority December 2001 UPDATE 2002 Legislative Session - Do or Die for Northstar While public support for the Northstar commuter rail system remains very strong, there is a major hurdle to cross before it becomes a reality. It is not a 'done deal' yet. In the last two sessions, the Minnesota Legislature has not provided the funding necessary to begin construction for the project. If funding is not authorized this session, the commuter rail option for the Northstar Corridor will be finished. Governor Jesse Ventura has made it clear that he is a strong supporter of Northstar and will include a request for $120 million in bonding authorization for the project in the next legislative session, which begins January 29, 2002. The money, which will leverage an additional $174 million from the federal government, will be used to build station sites, purchase rail cars and engines and get the system up and running by December 2005. Calling Legislators is Key A recent survey found that eighty percent of corridor residents support the Northstar project and many people are working hard to make sure it receives the necessary funding. But you-should consider yourself to be the most important supporter of this project. A phone call or hand-written letter to your representative and senator explaining why you feel Northstar is important will make a difference. In order to make informed decisions on important matters like these, legislators need to hear from their constituents. Call and write to them today! To find your State Senator or Representative or learn more about the Northstar commuter rail project, please visit our new web site at www.mn-GetOnBoard.com. You can find contact information for legislators, register for more information or leave a comment about why you support commuter rail. You can also call 651-296-2146 or 1-800-657-3550 to find your State Representative. Or call 651-296-0504 or 1-888-234-1112 to find your State Senator. It's up to YOU! Please contact your legislators today! Transportation Officials: Congestion Bad- and Getting Worse We have all noticed that traffic congestion along the corridor has gotten significantly worse in the past few years. While it is bad today it is going to get much worse very soon unless other options like commuter rail are available. Population growth in our area is expected to grow at a high rate for the foreseeable future. This will bring about more traffic and, naturally, worse congestion. For example, according to Mn/DOT, in just 10 years the congestion on Highway 10 from Anoka to Blaine will be about as bad as congestion is today at 35W and 694 one of the most congested areas in the Twin Cities. [~] = 1990 I = 2000 ~ = 2025 0 Northstar Corridor Development Authority 2100 3rd Avenue, Anoka, Minnesota 55303-2265 1-888-478-NSTAR (6782) www. mn. GetOnBoard. com Commuter Rail: A Cost- and Time-Effective Option Population and congestion are growing steadily in the Northstar Corridor and the time commuters spend in their cars is growing, too. Workers, students, veterans and others are finding that their 10 or 15 minute commute now takes two or three times longer. And, with our population expected to continue its rapid growth for the next 20 to 30 years, imagine what traffic will be like then! Who among us hasn't sat in traffic that's crawling along and said, "This is ridiculous. Something has to be done!" The 'something' we need is commuter rail. In order to remain a vibrant, growing community, we need an integrated, multi-modal approach to transportation. Current roads need to be upgraded and new roads need to be built. Unfortunately, it takes time - sometimes decades - to add more lanes or build new highways. Sometimes it can take so long to build them that by the time they open up they are already obsolete. This is why Northstar commuter rail is such a great idea. In less than 4 years, we can have a commuter rail system up and running that will free up as much as 1½ lanes of traffic when congestion is at its worst - during the morning and evening rush hours. Those that take the train can be confident that they will arrive at their destinations on time and relaxed - the comfortable seats are ideal for catching up on work or grabbing a little shuteye. Those that don't ride the train will see the benefit of having nearly 10,000 cars off the roads each day. The Northstar Corridor is an 80-mile transportation corridor that hms along highways 10 and 47 fi.om downtown Minneapolis to the St. Cloud/Rice area. For the past few years, this area has been the fastest growing corridor in the state. In the next thirty years, that growth is projected to continue. With no new roads planned and few upgrades trader way, the Northstar commuter rail project provides a transportation alternative for this busy travel route between the Twin Cities and St. Cloud. Frequently Asked Questions About Northstar Commuter Rail Q. How long will it take to go from St. Cloud to downtown Minneapolis? A. It will take about 90 minutes. Right now, if there is no traffic, it takes about the same time in a car. If it snows or someone has a flat tire, however, it can take hours. Q. How much will it cost? A. The full commute from St. Cloud to Minneapolis will cost approximately $10 one way. By comparison, the American Automobile Association, using the most conservative assumptions, estimates that it costs about $36 to drive the same distance (including gas, mileage, and other depreciation expenses). Q. Where will it stop? A. Rice, St. Cloud, Becker, Big Lake, Elk River, Anoka, Coon Rapids (2 stops), Fridley, Northeast and downtown Minneapolis, where it will connect with the light rail and bus system. Q. What can I do to help? A. Call or write your state representative and state senator! To find out who they are and to learn more about the project, you can go to www.mn-GetOnBoard.com and sign up as a supporter. You will receive updates on project activities, status reports on legislation and other news about the project. You can also help by writing letters to the editor of your local paper.