Northstar Construction Update - April 4

This week, Northstar is continuing construction of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) Connection in downtown Minneapolis and the Vehicle Maintenance Facility in Big Lake. In addition, crews have begun mobilizing at the Anoka commuter rail station site. Details on upcoming construction activities are included below.

Downtown Minneapolis – Light Rail Transit (LRT) Connection

• Pedestrian access on the 5th Street North bridge over the BNSF train tracks will be closed beginning Monday, April 7. This will allow the Ballpark Project to begin reconstruction of the sidewalk adjacent to the Ford Centre. Pedestrian access will be restored when the bridge reopens to vehicular traffic this summer.
• Northstar is conducting storm sewer utility work in the intersection of 5th Street North and 3rd Avenue North. One lane of southbound traffic will be maintained on 3rd Avenue through the intersection at all times. This work is expected to take between one and two weeks.
• Construction crews will continue decking work on the 5th Street North bridge over I-394.
• Electrical work beneath the 5th Street North bridge over the BNSF tracks continues.

City of Big Lake – Vehicle Maintenance Facility

• There are no anticipated traffic impacts related to VMF construction in the coming week.
• Crews will install ductwork in the VMF maintenance and office areas.
• Interior piping work will continue in the VMF.

City of Anoka – Commuter Rail Station

• Heavy equipment is mobilizing on the site off of Fourth Street.
• There are no anticipated traffic impacts related to this work, but motorists should be watchful for heavy equipment in the area.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding Northstar construction or any other aspect of the Project, please contact Jonathan Blake at 651-366-5840 or by e-mail at jonathan.blake@mnrail.org. Please also visit Northstar online at http://www.mn-getonboard.com/.

For information on the new Minnesota Twins Ballpark, which is being constructed adjacent to Northstar’s downtown Minneapolis construction site, visit the Minnesota Ballpark Authority (MBA) website at http://www.ballparkauthority.com/ or call 612-543-PARK. The MBA can provide you with information relating to construction of the Twins Ballpark and resulting traffic impacts.

Construction Site Photos

LRT Connection

Looking west from the edge of the new 5th Street North bridge over the BNSF train tracks (April 2, 2008)

Vehicle Maintenance Facility

Steam wash bay at the VMF (April 2, 2008)