Greetings,

I'm pleased to share exciting news for Northstar. Fridley officially will join Big Lake, Elk River, Anoka, Coon Rapids-Riverdale and Downtown Minneapolis as a Northstar Commuter Rail station site on opening day in late 2009.

Today, the Counties Transit Improvement Board (CTIB) granted $9.9 million, using funding from the new 1/4 percent metro sales tax, to complete construction of the station.

Thanks to collaboration and commitments from city, county, NCDA and CTIB officials, as well as support from supporters like you, work will continue on the station early next year. As you recall, the Anoka County Regional Rail Authority and city of Fridley already secured property for the station and built a pedestrian tunnel under the BNSF train tracks earlier this year.

Residents and businesses in Anoka County, as well as neighboring Hennepin and Ramsey counties, will benefit greatly from a station conveniently located in Fridley. The station will be located off of East River Road at the intersection of Main Street and 60th Avenue and will include:

• A pedestrian tunnel for safe crossing under the train tracks
• Automated ticket and Metro Transit Go-To card kiosks
• On-demand heating in covered and enclosed platform shelters
• Bicycle lockers and plenty of parking
• Fully ADA compliant platforms
• Platform, train and parking lot security cameras
• Well-lit parking and station facilities

Keep watching your email inbox and check out www.mn-GetOnBoard.com for more project updates. Thank you.

Dan Erhart
NCDA Chair