CCP 02-08-1999 - Laserfiche WebLink

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r.... North Suburban Trausit Concept February 1999 Page: 2 5. Road access to this area ofthe arsenal would be enhanced with direct connections from . 35W and Highway 10 at County Road HZ, and also from 35W at County Road I. 6. Light or medium rail transit would eventually service the center and run to Minneapolis along one of two routes as shown on the attached illustrations, numbered 1 and 2. 7. The rail connection would follow existing rail rights-of-way, although it would not actually share existing trackage except in those areas where existing freight operations are permanently discontinued. This use of existing rights-of-way should serve to minimize the need for great amounts of property acquisition or infrastructure construction. 8. The rail routes are shown in further detail on the two attached exhibits. The first exhibit maps the northerly part of the route, while the second shows the southerly portion, which has two options, arbitrarily named the East and West Alternates. Both terminate in Minneapolis, where it should be feasible to connect with the Hiawatha line. It is the author's opinion that the westerly route might be the b~iter of the two, although the easterly route might make an eventual connection with SI. Paul more practical. The specifics of the routes are more completely described in what follows: . Proceed west from the arsenal and turn to the south by Long Lake Park in New Brighton as indicated by the dark red line. A second stop could be constructed in the area of New Brighton's downtown redevelopment area just south of the Old Highway 8 overpass, . . Proceed south to the intersection with the ex-BN line that runs parallel to County Road C. At this point, there are two route options, the east and west alternatives, The west alternate seems more logical to the author and is shown in pink, while the east alternate, shown in green, might eventually provide a better link to St. Paul. , . Westerly Alternate: Passes by Apache, where a station could be constructed, then across Central Avenue and nearly to University. At University it turns to the south, running along the present BN (ex-GN) line to Minneapolis Junction. There is the likely potential for two more station stops along this portion of the route. At Minneapolis Junction, the line would turn southwest and cross the river into Minneapolis. At least one more stop would be constructed along this portion of the trackage, probably in the area where it crosses University Avenue. This route would serve a significant area of population in a number of cities, which is one of the reasons why it is believed to be the better alternative. . Easterly Alternate: Continues south from the intersection with the BN, along the west side of and parallel to 35 Wand Highway 280. This route would continue to Park Junction, where it would turn west, passing along the BN (ex-GN) Union . Yard. It would then follow the ex-NP right-of-way into Minneapolis. This route