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The Northstar Corridor is an 82-mile transportation corridor that runs along Highway 10 from the St. Cloud/Rice area to downtown Minneapolis. It is one of the fastest growing corridors in Minnesota and the nation. It is projected that by 2025, more than 850,000 people will be living in the Northstar Corridor, an increase of about 200,000 people.
The Northstar Commuter Rail project is being developed to serve a 40-mile portion of that corridor from Big Lake to Minneapolis. Project planners hope to extend the line to the full corridor in the future.
In many ways, it's a good problem to have when people and businesses are interested in locating in your region. However, the population, housing and business growth in the Northstar Corridor is overwhelming the existing transportation system. Residents and businesses are tired of traffic congestion that is slowing commerce and increasing travel times and expenses every day. Without a transportation alternative, by 2025 commuters will be moving at half of their current speeds on some of the busiest sections of Highway 10.
The Northstar Corridor Development Authority (NCDA) along with the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) evaluated the transportation options available to help accommodate the Northstar Corridor's rapid growth. After analyzing all possibilities, including highway expansion and a dedicated busway, they recommended Northstar Commuter Rail as the most immediate and cost-effective transportation alternative. In 2006, the Minnesota Legislature passed $60 million in bonding for the project, and Northstar entered the final design phase. Pending 2007 approval of federal matching funds, Northstar can be fully operational in 2009.
- Northstar will save commuters significant travel time.
According to an independent analysis prepared for the Federal Transit Administration, Northstar will save commuters nearly 900,000 hours in travel time every year, compared to the next best alternative of bus transit.
- Northstar will quickly and efficiently add needed transportation capacity.
Highway expansion would be nearly four times as expensive and adding a dedicated busway would cost nearly six times more than commuter rail per passenger trip. Commuter rail can more quickly adapt to increased commuter demand than expanding highway capacity.
- Northstar will provide reliable transportation.
In any weather, Northstar will offer riders a predictable 43-minute commute from Big Lake to Minneapolis, which includes pick-up and drop-off stops at six stations. It is projected that 5,070 riders will use Northstar each day. Northstar has the capacity to provide 2.1 million rides per year.
If you have any comments about the project, please contact county personnel via fax or email. You can also sign up as a Northstar supporter and share your comments in our sign-up form.
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