Passenger Rail

Northstar Extension Assessment study (2024)

In 2023, the Minnesota Legislature asked MnDOT to perform project scoping for extending Northstar service to St. Cloud. The resulting report provides a detailed summary of all necessary steps to complete the rail extension to St. Cloud prior to construction. It estimates the project scope and costs of project planning, project development, and implementation, as well as costs for operations and maintenance. The report also document the necessary steps needed to apply for, and receive, federal funding if the project is advanced.

• 2024 Northstar Extension Assessment Study
• Northstar Extension Appendix A
• Northstar Extension Appendix B
• Northstar Extension Appendix C

Northstar Rail Corridor post-pandemic study (2023)

The COVID-10 pandemic resulted in a significant ridership drop and operational challenges. In 2022, the Minnesota Legislature asked the Metropolitan Council to evaluate various options for the service to assist state and local decision makers regarding the future of the service.in determining a course of action. The study included a peer review and evaluated six scenarios. The alternatives included: Commuter rail at current service level; Commuter rail at pre-covid service level; Extend rail service to St. Cloud – Base; Extend rail service to St. Cloud – High; Replace rail service with express bus – Base; Replace rail service with express bus – High.

• Northstar Rail Corridor Post-Pandemic Study - Metropolitan Council (metrocouncil.org)

Northstar Commuter Rail Extension Feasibility Assessment (2020)

In 2019, the Minnesota Legislature directed MnDOT and Metro Transit to assess the feasibility of extending Northstar commuter rail service to St. Cloud. The assessment was completed in 2020. The resulting report provides estimated construction, operating, and maintenance costs associated with a range of potential service alternatives. The four alternatives were: minimum service, minimum bi-directional service; Northstar express service, and bi-directional service.

• Consultant letter revising potential schedule (PDF)
• Northstar Extension two-page summary of results 2020-7-31 (PDF)
• Northstar Commuter Rail Extension Feasibility Assessment - Summary Report (PDF)
• Appendix A – Technical Memorandum on Existing Constraints (PDF)
• Appendix B – Technical Memorandum on Operating Assumptions for the Minimum Service Alternative (PDF)
• Appendix C – Technical Memorandum on Operating Assumptions for the Minimum Bi‐Directional Service Alternative (PDF)
• Appendix D – Technical Memorandum on Operating Assumptions for the Northstar Express Service Alternative (PDF)
• Appendix E – Technical Memorandum on Operating Assumptions for the Bi‐Directional Service Alternative (PDF)
• Appendix F – Technical Memorandum on Rail Operations Modeling (PDF)
• Appendix G – Technical Memorandum on Conceptual Engineering (PDF)
• Appendix H – Technical Memorandum on Capital Cost Estimates (PDF)
• Appendix I – Technical Memorandum on Capital Cost Estimating Methodology (PDF)
• Appendix J – Technical Memorandum on Operating and Maintenance Costs (PDF)