Northstar Commuter Rail turns 15 in November and you can help us celebrate!
What: “Northstar turns 15!” celebration
Where: Target Field Station
When: 6 to 9 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20
Join us to celebrate 15 years of Northstar!
Scroll to the bottom for a history of Northstar Commuter Rail.
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November 2009
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Northstar Commuter Rail opens for service on November 16. Public events were held at each Northstar Station on November 14 to celebrate the beginning of Northstar service.
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August 2009
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Metropolitan Council sets Northstar fares and announces November 16 as the Northstar service launch date. A groundbreaking ceremony is held for the Northstar Link Commuter Coach Project and the Park and Ride Lot construction begins.
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July 2009
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Northstar Commuter Rail stations near completion.
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June 2009
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Northstar’s passenger cars arrive in Big Lake and testing begins.
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March 2009
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A groundbreaking ceremony is held and construction begins at the Fridley Northstar Commuter Rail Station site.
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February 2009
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The Anoka County Regional Railroad Authority awards the Fridley Station construction contract to Lund Martin Construction, Inc.
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January 2009
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Northstar Commuter Rail’s final four locomotives arrive in Big Lake. Metro Transit begins hiring staff for the Vehicle Maintenance Facility.
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December 2008
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Construction of the Vehicle Maintenance Facility in Big Lake is completed.
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October 2008
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The Counties Transit Improvement Board grants $9.9 million for construction of the Fridley Station so it can be fully operational when Northstar begins service. The first of five locomotives arrives in Big Lake from Motive Power, Inc. in Boise, Idaho.
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August 2008
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A groundbreaking ceremony is held for the Elk River Station. The Northstar Project launches a new, redesigned web site to help commuters prepare to ride the line.
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May 2008
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Construction occurs at the Fridley Station site to build a pedestrian tunnel under the BNSF train tracks.
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Spring 2008
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Passenger vehicles are ordered.
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April-May 2008
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Construction begins on stations in Big Lake, Elk River, Anoka and Coon Rapids-Riverdale, while work continues on the Target Field Station. Groundbreaking ceremonies are held for the Coon Rapids-Riverdale, Big Lake and Anoka Stations.
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January 2008
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$32 million in bonds are sold so payments can be made to BNSF Railway for easements that will allow for the use of its train tracks.
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December 2007
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Federal, state and local officials sign the Full Funding Grant Agreement (FFGA) for Northstar Commuter Rail. The FFGA committed $156.8 million in federal matching funds and released $97.5 million in state bonding money for Northstar construction and trains.
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September 2007
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Construction begins to extend the Hiawatha Light Rail Transit Line to the Target Field Station. Work also begins on the vehicle maintenance facility in Big Lake.
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April 2007
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Stearns County joins the NCDA. The NCDA agrees to study a second phase of Northstar, possibly extending commuter rail service in the future from Big Lake to Becker, St. Cloud and Rice. Four locomotives are ordered with expected ship dates of Fall 2008.
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March 2007
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The State of Minnesota, NCDA and BNSF complete negotiations and sign key agreements finalizing terms and conditions for commuter rail service, including a cooperation agreement that puts the Metropolitan Council in charge of overseeing Northstar operation.
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February 2007
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President Bush recommends federal funding for construction of Northstar as part of his fiscal year 2008 budget.
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May 2006
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The NCDA, State of Minnesota and BNSF Railway reach an agreement in principle that guarantees Northstar’s operation on BNSF train tracks for the entire life of Northstar.
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September 2006
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The FTA grants Northstar permission to enter the final design phase.
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June 2006
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Governor Pawlenty signs the bonding bill approved by state legislators during the 2006 session. The bill authorizes $60 million for Northstar, completing the state’s capital commitment needed to seek final federal funding for Northstar’s construction.
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July 2005
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U.S. Congress authorizes $80 million for Northstar in federal transportation bill.
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April 2005
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Minnesota Legislature approves $37.5 million for Northstar in final bonding bill.
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August 2004
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Governor Pawlenty announces a $2.5 million funding plan to secure $10 million in federal money. Legislative leaders publicly support Northstar in letter to FTA.
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January 2004
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Governor Pawlenty includes $37.5 million in funding for Northstar in his bonding proposal.
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December 2003
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Northstar meets new, more rigorous FTA cost effectiveness criteria for a Phase One route from Big Lake to Minneapolis.
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June 2000
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The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) authorizes NCDA to begin preliminary engineering and awards Northstar a “Recommended” rating.
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May 1997
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30 counties, cities, townships and regional railroad authorities form the Northstar Corridor Development Authority (NCDA.)
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