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STACY, STURGEON LAKE, THOMPSON, WILLOW RIVER, COLUMBUS, LENT, <br />NICKERSON, and RUSHEBA as a party to this AGREEMENT; and <br />WHEREAS, the Rush Line Corridor is defined as the transitway corridor originating in St. Paul <br />in Ramsey County and extending north from Ramsey County through Washington County, Chisago <br />County, Pine County, and Carlton County to Duluth in St. Louis County; and <br />WHEREAS, the Rush Line Corridor has significant transportation, safety, and land use issues; <br />and <br />WHEREAS, there are opportunities for a variety of multi -modal transportation improvements <br />in the Rush Line Corridor, including highway, commuter and freight rail, bus rapid transit, multi- <br />use paths and /or recreational trails including bicycle trails, and Intelligent Transportation Systems <br />(ITS); and <br />WHEREAS, the parties wish to collaboratively plan for multi -modal transportation <br />improvements to the Rush Line Corridor and for the related land use and development impacts, and <br />WHEREAS, the TASK FORCE has completed a transit study on the Rush Line Corridor, and <br />determined that planning for bus, bus rapid transit, and commuter rail in the Rush Line Corridor <br />should continue; and <br />WHEREAS, the Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) has completed a study of <br />the restoration of passenger service from the Twin Cities to Duluth and the Iron Range, and <br />determined that additional analysis should continue; and <br />WHEREAS, Minn. Stat. § 174.80 et seq. grants authority and responsibility to the Mn/DOT to <br />design, develop, construct, and operate commuter rail in Minnesota and to enter into agreements <br />with joint powers boards to carry out these responsibilities; and <br />Page 3 of 27 <br />6- <br />