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44 1 2941/4 cecmack <br />515 Little Canada Road, Little Canada, MN 55117 -1600 <br />(651) 484 -2177 / FAX: (651) 484 -4538 <br />TO: Mayor Fahey and Members of the City Council <br />FROM: Elizabeth Mursko, Assistant to City Administrator <br />DATE: February 19, 1999 <br />RE: Resolution of Support for Trunk Highway 61 <br />Railroad Corridor Planning Process <br />MAYOR <br />Michael I. Fahey <br />COUNCIL <br />Beverly Scalze <br />Jim LaValle <br />Steve Morelan <br />Bob Pedersen <br />ADMINISTRATOR <br />Joel R. Hanson <br />During the November 10, 1998 council meeting, the Council reviewed the <br />correspondence received from County Commissioner Victoria Reinhardt requesting City <br />support for the planning process and coordination of the project involving the potential <br />of a Highway 61- railroad corridor. The Council requested further details and information <br />about the project. The following information was gathered: <br />1. During the 1997 Minnesota legislative session, the Legislature instructed the <br />Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn /Dot) to conduct a feasibility study <br />to determine if selected freight railroad corridors throughout the Twin Cities' <br />metropolitan area could support commuter rail service in a cost - effective manner. <br />2. The study was conducted in two phases in order to allow the state legislature to <br />review the study process, methodology and results. <br />3. Phase I evaluation and results: During Phase 1, 19 existing freight railroad lines <br />throughout the Twin Cities' metropolitan area were evaluated with regard to their <br />ability to support commuter rail service. The existing freight railroad affecting our <br />city would be the Forest Lake — St. Paul — Minneapolis (Route S) line. (Map <br />attached.) <br />4. Phase II evaluation and results: The purpose of the Phase II analysis was to <br />"fine- tune" ridership and cost estimates, suggest the appropriate technology to be <br />used and determine the economic, environmental, social and financial effects of <br />commuter rail service on each of the seven routes. <br />5. Summary of Findings of the Study: A "First Tier" program consisting of all or <br />portions of Routes B, L, N and T was determined to initially be the most cost <br />effective commuter rail service network. Routes A, H, and S would continue to <br />be studied during the staged implementation of the "First Tier" routes to confirm <br />their most appropriate staging sequence. The implementation strategy for the <br />Page 13 <br />