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Freight - Chapter 8 <br />Most aspects of freight movement are controlled by the private sector, so unlike other sections of the <br />TPP, there is not a specific plan adopted for future public sector investment in freight facilities. <br />However, the discussion of the need for a safe and efficient multimodal freight system has been <br />updated and expanded in the TPP to recognize challenges and opportunities for freight movement as <br />well as the future direction of freight by mode. It acknowledges the closure of the Minneapolis Upper <br />Harbor in 2015, leaving St Paul and Shakopee as the region's major barge terminal areas in the future. <br />The plan also acknowledges the increase of trains since 2010 carrying oil from North Dakota on BNSF <br />and CP rail tracks, which is expected to continue into the future. Although railroad trackage in the <br />region was significantly decreased over the last 20 years to "right size" the system after federal <br />deregulation, communities should not expect much additional rail abandonment. Many tracks that <br />appear to be seldom used are owned by the smaller Class III railroads that serve local businesses by <br />providing direct rail connections from manufacturing and warehousing/distribution facilities to the major <br />national railroads. The major Class I railroads are approaching capacity and actually adding tracks in <br />some locations. <br />System Plan Considerations Affecting Your Community <br />Ramsey should consult the complete 2040 Transportation Policy Plan in preparing its local <br />comprehensive plan. In addition, Ramsey should consult Thrive MSP 2040 and the current version of <br />the Metropolitan Council's Local Planning Handbook for specific information needed in its <br />comprehensive plan. Specific system plan considerations affecting Ramsey are detailed below. <br />Metropolitan Highways <br />There is a principal arterial located within Ramsey: TH 10. The TPP includes the following specific <br />regional mobility improvements as shown in TPP Figure 5-8: TH 10 Armstrong Boulevard — <br />construction of interchange and rail grade separation. <br />Transit System <br />Ramsey includes the following Transit Market Areas: <br />Transit Market Market Area Description and Typical Transit Services <br />Area <br />Market Area IV <br />Transit Market Area IV has lower concentrations of population and employment <br />and a higher rate of auto ownership. It is primarily composed of Suburban Edge <br />and Emerging Suburban Edge communities. This market can support peak -period <br />express bus services if a sufficient concentration of commuters likely to use <br />transit service is located along a corridor. The low-density development and <br />suburban form of development presents challenges to fixed -route transit. General <br />public dial -a -ride services are appropriate in Market Area IV. <br />Ramsey should identify and map existing transit services and facilities in the local comprehensive plan. <br />Ramsey should also work with transit providers serving their community to identify potential future <br />transit service options and facilities that are consistent with the TPP and the applicable Transit Market <br />Areas. Communities can find further maps and guidance for transit planning in the Transportation <br />section of the Local Planning Handbook. <br />Page - 9 1 2015 SYSTEM STATEMENT — RAMSEY TRANSPORTATION <br />