Greetings,

Summer may be winding down, but work on Northstar Commuter Rail continues at full speed.

On Friday, Senator Norm Coleman and more than 150 public officials, business leaders and supporters gathered in Elk River for this summer's fourth Northstar station groundbreaking. It was an exciting day for the Northstar Project and everyone who attended the event. 

Visit our newsroom to view the Elk River Station groundbreaking photos and event details.

Crews have begun moving dirt and preparing the site for construction, which could be complete by the end of this year. Northstar trains will begin to pick up passengers at the station when service begins in November 2009.

The station will feature

• An expanded surface parking lot with space for 754 vehicles
• Automated ticket and Metro Transit Go-To card kiosks
• On-demand heating in covered and enclosed platform shelters
• Bicycle lockers
• Fully ADA compliant platforms and trains
• Security cameras on the platforms, and well-lit parking and station facilities

Go to the Elk River Station web page for additional station features and information.

Elsewhere, steady progress is being made on the stations at Coon Rapids-Riverdale, Anoka, Big Lake and downtown Minneapolis. Construction of the stations and other portions of the project are on budget and on schedule for the launch of Minnesota's first commuter rail line next year.

Come see us at the State Fair!
If you're attending the Fair this week, we hope you'll stop by to say "Hi!" You'll find information about Northstar and many other current and proposed transit projects at the Counties Transit Improvement Board booth. The booth is No. 92 in the Grandstand.

Thank you for your continued support. Let's get ready to ride the line in 2009!

Sincerely,

Dan Erhart
NCDA Chair