Agenda - Council Work Session - 04/05/2005

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Northstar Corridor Rail Station Feasibility Study Operating Plan Baseiine Alternative Modifications The Baseline Alternative for the Northstar Corridor Rail Project was developed by Manuel Padron & Associates. To analyze the impacts to the Baseline Alternative, Manuel Padron evaluated the impact of a rail station in the City of Ramsey. The Baseline Alternative for the Big Lake-to-Minneapolis scenario (without the Ramsey station) assumed the following route patterns and daily peak-period service level of bus service: · Bi9 Lake-Elk River-Riverdale-Minneapolis: 4 peak-period bus trips, peak direction only · Elk River-Minneapolis: 6 peak-period bus trips, peak direction only · Anoka-Riverdale-Minneapolis: 4 peak-period bus trips, peak direction only · Big Lake-Elk River-Anoka-Riverdale: 2 peak-period bus trips, both directions In addition, there was one round trip in the midday that made stops at all locations (Big Lake to Minneapolis). For this new scenario, it is proposed that a Ramsey stop be added to the Elk River-Minneapolis route pattern, and to the Big Lake-Elk River-Anoka-Riverdale route pattern. This stop would also be added to the midday round trip. Revised bus travel time estimates for the affected route pattern are presented in Appendix A. There are no changes proposed for the local Metro Transit service beyond what Was already proposed in previous service plans. There is presently a Route 805 that operates at hourly service frequencies between the Anoka Technical College and the Northtown Transit Hub. This route could be extended west to the Ramsey commuter bus stop. Commuter Rail Alternative Modifications The proposed commuter rail service plan for the Northstar Corridor Rail Project was developed by LTK Engineering Services, which evaluated the modifications necessary to include Ramsey as a station stop along the corridor. The proposed commuter rail service plan reflects 5 peak direction and 3 reverse peak direction trips in each peak period, in addition to one midday round trip. The following timetables, Tables 2-6 and 2-7, illustrate an eastbound and westbound : Northstar Corridor service alternative between Big Lake and downtown Minneapolis. A station for Ramsey is included in this example between Elk River and Anoka. In this case, it is also assumed that the maintenance facility previously assumed for Elk River is located instead at .the Big Lake terminus. Two of the four trainsets will also use this facility for midday layover; two will have midday layover in downtown Minneapolis, as in previous plans. The BNSF mainline between Elk River and Anoka is relatively straight and flat, with an author- ized maximum passenger train speed of 79 mph for almost the entire 9.7 miles. Without an intermediate stop, commuter trains take advanta9® of these speed conditions with a scheduled travel time of 8 minutes eastbound and 9 westbound. The addition of a station at Ramsey will require trains to decelerate, make a station stop, and accelerate ba~k to speed over a track seg- .ment where trains would otherwise run through at 79 mph. The difference would be about 4 minutes, depending on assumptions and conditions. For illustrative purposes, 4 minutes will be assumed as the additional running time between Elk River and Anoka imposed by the addition Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. 3--7 March 2004 -8-