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Northstar Commuter Rail at a Glance

Northstar trains operate from Big Lake to downtown Minneapolis, with the potential for extending the line north to St. Cloud at a future date. The Northstar Line is operated by Metro Transit and provides an important link to a broader transit network in the metro area and Central Minnesota.

Building Northstar Together

The $320 million cost of building the state’s first commuter rail line was shared by the state and federal governments, the regional rail authorities for Anoka, Hennepin and Sherburne counties, the Metropolitan Council and the Minnesota Twins.

Pie chart showing percent of funding for Northstar project.

Why Northstar Was Built

The Northstar Corridor is an 82-mile transportation corridor that runs along Highway 10 from the St. Cloud area to downtown Minneapolis. It is one of the fastest growing corridors in Minnesota and the nation. By 2025, more than 850,000 people are expected to live in the corridor.

Northstar Commuter Rail was chosen and approved by local, state and federal officials because:

Northstar provides reliable and safe transportation and saves commuters significant travel time.
Northstar quickly and efficiently expanded transportation capacity.
Northstar is the most cost-effective choice for the Northstar Corridor because it utilizes BNSF Railway train tracks that already existed.

Click here for more Northstar Commuter Rail facts.

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