Dec 11, 2007 7:09 pm US/Central
North Suburb Residents Eager For Northstar Rail
(WCCO)
Residents in the northern metro will soon have a quicker commute to Minneapolis.
Final funding for the $317 million Northstar Commuter Rail was officially approved Tuesday.
The 40-mile rail corridor will run from Big Lake to Minneapolis on existing track.
It'll also stop in Elk River, Anoka and Coon Rapids along the way.
"I think it's fantastic. It's something we need out here. It's going to make it a little bit easier to get around," said Coon Rapids resident, Edward Graham.
The future of transportation in Minnesota became much clearer after the federal government signed off on funding for the Northstar Commuter Rail.
"It's elation. It is going to set a new era for transportation in Minnesota," said Anoka County Commissioner, Dan Erhart.
For Erhart, it seems he's been working on the railroad all the live long day after a 20-year effort to get others on board.
"It's been exhausting at times," he said. "We're really optimistic this is going to be successful."
Judging by the packed park and ride bus stop in Coon Rapids it's a good bet.
"My daughter works downtown and she takes the bus now, so if there's a anyway she can be on that, I know she will be," said Ramsey resident Emily Holz.
It promises to change a lengthy rush hour commute.
"I drive down to the VA hospital a lot, and if I have to be there at 8 in the morning, I have to leave here at 6:30 because it's so bad with traffic," said Graham.
With Northstar, it'll be a 20 minute ride to downtown and no extra charge for hoping on the light rail or bus.
"I think it's wonderful. We've needed it for a long, long time," said Holz.
"It shows that we're moving in the right direction as a state," said Graham.
The Northstar goes 79 miles per hour.
The cost to ride one way to Minneapolis ranges from $6 to $2.75 depending where people start from.
The train departs every half hour.
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