03-14-2001 Council Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

NE Diagonal Subarea Transit /Land Use Scenario Study Proposed Scope of Work (03/02/01) Background The proposed Northeast Diagonal Transitway extends from downtown Minneapolis to White Bear Lake through the cities of Minneapolis, St. Anthony, Roseville, Vadnais Heights, Gem Lake, and White Bear Lake. In November 1998, the Burlington Northern Sante Fe Railroad (BNSF) decided to abandon 2.4 miles, from Broadway St. to Walnut 5t., of the Northeast Minneapolis rail corridor (a.k.a. the Northeast Diagonal Transitway corridor). The remaining section of the Northeast Minneapolis rail corridor, from Roseville to White Bear Lake, is anticipated to be abandoned in the future due to extremely low volumes of freight rail traffic, a small customer base for rail service, and the poor condition of the tracks. Recognizing that the BNSF abandonment presented a unique opportunity to begin preservation of a continuous corridor, a group of local governments ,joined forces in early 1999. The local governments included the Hennepin and Ramsey County Regional Railroad Authorities, the cities of Minneapolis, St. Anthony, and Roseville; and, the I -35W Corridor Coalition. Over the past year, this group has pursued acquisition of the abandoned 2.4 mile segment. Acquisition is the first step in preserving the entire Northeast Minneapolis rail corridor (a.k.a. the Northeast Diagonal Transitway corridor) for a future transportation use. Currently, the Hennepin and Ramsey County Regional Railroad Authorities are in the process of negotiating a purchase agreement with BNSF for the 2.4 mile segment (Broadway Avenue to Walnut Street). Purchasing this segment is the first step in preserving the entire corridor for a future transit use. The recently completed Metropolitan Council Transit 2020 Master Plan identifies the entire Northeast Diagonal Transitway Corridor (Minneapolis to White Bear Lake) as a potential future transitway post 2010. Study Goal /Objective Prior to 2010, what range of land use changes and transit improvements (service and infrastructure) could be implemented by the local governments and transit providers to increase the transit market in the proposed Northeast Diagonal Transitway study area. Study Area The study area is defined as cities encompassing the proposed Northeast Diagonal Transitway. Previous Studies The Consultant should be familiar with the following studies /reports: • Metropolitan Council's Transit 2020 • Metropolitan Council's Regional Blueprint C:\ kwalker \nediagonal \plan\draftscope l .doc Page 13