Greetings,

Strong, continued support from residents like you across the region and state has led to several exciting steps toward eventually extending Northstar Commuter Rail service to Becker, St. Cloud and Rice.

First, the Northstar Corridor Development Authority (NCDA) agreed yesterday to study the feasibility of Northstar's second phase. Over the next 3-4 months, the study will analyze:

• Updates to estimated ridership numbers
• Potential environmental issues, their cost and impact on commuter rail schedules
• Issues that might come up during negotiations with BNSF Railway Company (BNSF) for use of its tracks
• Potential station designs
• A layover facility at East St. Cloud or Rice
• How start-up costs compare to the current Federal Transit Administration guidelines for funding

Yesterday's action was possible partly because Stearns County decided on Tuesday to become a member of the NCDA, giving county representatives a place at the table as Northstar Phase One construction continues and planning for Phase Two gets underway.

Finally, at the Capitol, State Representative Larry Haws (DFL-St. Cloud) and State Senator Tarryl Clark (DFL-St. Cloud) have introduced legislation that would contribute $250,000 in state funding for Phase Two negotiations with BNSF for the use of its tracks, and property appraisals, preliminary engineering and planning.

To learn more about these exciting developments, go to "News and Updates" at www.mn-GetOnBoard.com.

Then, help us spread this great news to your friends and family in communities north of Big Lake! E-mail your friends and relatives today and urge them to sign up for future e-mail updates.

Dan Erhart
NCDA Chair