Coon Rapids Groundbreaking Ceremony Marks Beginning of Station Construction in Northstar Corridor

Stations to be complete in time for late 2009 start of Northstar Commuter Rail service

Public officials and supporters of Northstar Commuter Rail gathered today to break ground for the Coon Rapids-Riverdale commuter rail station, located on Northdale Boulevard, south of Main Street.

Construction also will get underway over the next several months at Northstar stations in Big Lake, Elk River, Anoka and downtown Minneapolis. Preparation work for the Minneapolis station and the extension of the Hiawatha Light Rail Transit Line to meet up with Northstar in downtown Minneapolis began last summer. In addition, construction on the vehicle maintenance facility in Big Lake is well underway.

The groundbreaking ceremony in Coon Rapids is an occasion to celebrate the tremendous progress on the project, according to Northstar Corridor Development Authority (NCDA) Chair Dan Erhart.

“Making the Northstar Project a reality has taken the dedication of officials from Coon Rapids and other Northstar Corridor communities, the Minnesota Department of Transportation, the Metropolitan Council, and federal and state policy makers,” Erhart said. “Today, we see our persistence paying off. Now let’s all get ready to ride the line in 2009!”

Past and present NCDA members, elected officials, chamber of commerce members, representatives from BNSF Railway, and federal, state and metropolitan transportation officials were invited to gather at the Coon Rapids site for the ceremony.

Knutson Construction of Minneapolis has begun staging and prepping the area, currently a park-and-ride lot. The station will be complete in time for the beginning of Northstar service in late 2009 and will feature:

• An enclosed and heated pedestrian bridge for safe crossing over the train tracks
• Automated ticket and Metro Transit Go-To card kiosks
• On-demand heating in covered and enclosed platform shelters
• Bicycle lockers and plenty of parking
• Fully ADA compliant platforms
• Security cameras on the platforms, and well-lit parking and station facilities

The transit station is an important addition to city amenities, according to Coon Rapids Mayor Tim Howe.

“Northstar trains will provide a fast, reliable and safe commuting alternative to residents,” said Howe. “The location of the Riverdale station will give commuters convenient access to the Northstar Line, and provides attractive opportunities for future development in our city. Coon Rapids is honored to be a destination on Minnesota’s first commuter rail line.”

About the Northstar Commuter Rail Project

Northstar Commuter Rail will provide service starting in late 2009 on the 40-mile segment of existing track along Highways 10 and 47 from Big Lake to Minneapolis. Northstar trains will offer commuter service during prime morning and evening week day rush hours, as well as regular weekend service and some special event service.

The Northstar Corridor Development Authority (NCDA) is a joint powers board of 30 governmental entities representing counties, cities, townships and regional railroad authorities along the Northstar Corridor, which covers an 80-mile stretch from downtown Minneapolis to St. Cloud.

For more information about the Northstar Commuter Rail Project, please visit
http://www.mn-getonboard.com/.