The Cities Blog

Construction of Northstar’s Ramsey station begins

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Two years after the Northstar commuter rail line began service between Minneapolis and Big Lake, construction is getting underway on a seventh Northstar station in the northern metro suburb of Ramsey. Right now, the commuter train has stations in Big Lake, Elk River, Anoka, Coon Rapids, Fridley and the Minneapolis station at Target Field.

Officials say funding is now in place for the $13.2 million Ramsey station, which should be completed by the end of 2012. The money came from the state, the Met Council, the Counties Transit Improvement Board (CTIB), the Anoka County Regional Rail Authority and the city of Ramsey. The Anoka County Regional Rail Authority says the station is expected to average more than 200 rides per day, adding 52,000 rides per year to the commuter rail system.

Tomorrow state, city and county officials will celebrate the completion of funding and the start of construction. An invite-only Northstar train ride will stop in Ramsey for the first time at 11:30 a.m., and the public can join the festivities for a program in the Municipal Center lobby at 11:50 a.m.