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Topic: Hiawatha Light Rail

	Parsons Project Profile--Hiawatha Light Rail Transit
		The Hiawatha corridor was originally proposed to be a multi-lane freeway, but local residents objected to this plan and kept it from moving forward.
		Parsons is an equity partner of the design-build team of Granite Construction Co., McCrossan Inc., and Edward and Kelcey, Inc. responsible for all construction of the Hiawatha Light Rail Line.
		In March 2003, the first vehicle for the Hiawatha Light Rail Line arrived in the Twin Cities.
	www.parsons.com /about/press_rm/potm/04-2003/index.html (544 words)

	Reviewing Rail Transit Proposals
		Light rail is good for two things and two things only: getting federal pork barrel and creating an excuse to rezone neighborhoods to higher densities.
		Light rail is an obsolete technology and cities that invest in it are wasting their taxpayers' money.
		Rail projects tend to be so expensive and produce so few benefits that it is generally easy to demonstrate to anyone not motivated by pork or high-density zoning that they are not worth building.
	www.ti.org /howtoreviewrail.html (2766 words)

	Light rail - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
		Light rail is the successor term to tram (streetcar or trolley in North American English) in many locales, although the term is most consistently applied to modern or modernised tram or trolley operations employing features more usually associated with metro or subway operations, including exclusive rights-of-way, multiple unit train configuration and signal control of operations.
		Light rail is generally powered by electricity, usually by means of overhead wires, but sometimes by a live rail, also called third rail (a high voltage bar alongside the track), requiring safety measures and warnings to the public not to touch it.
		Light rail systems are generally cheaper to build than heavy rail, since the infrastructure does not need to be as substantial, and tunnels are generally not required as is the case with most metro systems.
	en.wikipedia.org /wiki/Light_rail (5918 words)

	Hiawatha Line - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
		The Hiawatha Line is a 12-mile (19-kilometer) light-rail corridor in Hennepin County, Minnesota that extends from downtown Minneapolis to the southern suburb of Bloomington, connecting to the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport and the Mall of America, among other destinations.
		Passengers who ride the rail system are ordinarily charged the same fare as they would pay for the local Metro Transit bus system, and they are able to use their bus transfer cards to switch between the two different modes of transportation without making another payment.
		Opponents to the rail line state that it has gone far over-budget, but supporters of the line state that extensions of the route and other alterations, plus the impact of inflation, are the real reasons for the increased cost.
	en.wikipedia.org /wiki/Hiawatha_Line (2419 words)

	Minneapolis Light Rail
		Minneapolis Light Rail transit is the modern version of streetcars operated in the twin cities of Minneapolis during the 1950s.
		Minneapolis Light Rail transit which opened on June 26, 2004 is becoming an important part of the Minneapolis Transit system because of its ability to transport high numbers of commuters in a fast, comfortable and quiet way.
		Hiawatha Light Rail transit which opened on 26th June is the first route under the Minneapolis Light rail system.
	www.eminneapolis.net /minneapolis.light.rail.htm (700 words)

	Metropolitan Council - Hiawatha light-rail line
		A recent survey of Metro Transit customers leaves no doubt that were it not for buses and light rail, many more people would be driving solo on the region's roads and highways.
		The Hiawatha line has proven to be a powerful catalyst for development in a corridor that once had large tracts of vacant and underutilized land.
		The plan includes construction of the region's second light rail transit line in the Central Corridor between downtown St. Paul and downtown Minneapolis, connecting there with the Hiawatha LRT line and the planned Northstar commuter rail line.
	www.metrocouncil.org /transportation/lrt/lrt.htm (222 words)

	Light Rail’s Impact on Traffic a Scandal Worth Investigating (Site not responding. Last check: )
		Urban Rail Likely to Fail in North Carolina (6/22) As several North Carolina cities consider urban rail projects, this new Reason study finds the areas, like many across the country, are all ill-suited for rail and would be better off adding additional lane capacity to roads and pursuing mass transit options like bus rapid transit.
		All those traffic “experts” who wowed Minnesotans with those projections of light rail’s impact on transportation seem to have forgotten that most of us drive—and the smooth working of the transportation system is what government should be working to improve.
		Light rail is a disaster because it makes things much worse than before it is built—as everyone can now see.
	www.rppi.org /lightrailscandal.shtml (1693 words)

	Hiawatha light rail talk continues to be controversial (Site not responding. Last check: )
		While the benefit-cost analysis shows a 42 cent benefit for every dollar spent on the light rail system, Winter said one of government’s roles is to promote the greater good.
		The Hiawatha light rail line is probably the most scrutinized transportation project he’s seen come through in a long time, said Winters.
		Winter said the only ways the light rail project can be stopped would be for the Legislature to rescind earlier legislation or impose a moratorium.
	www.hometownsource.com /capitol/1999/november/1119rail.html (408 words)

	For sale: Used light-rail car, 90% off (Site not responding. Last check: )
		Light rail proponents are notorious adherents to a principle of "rail for the sake of having rail" and seldom if ever concern themselves with the common sense intricacies of transportation such as rider capacity, efficiency, and cost/benefit analysis.
		Light rail only benefits a tiny audience of potential users who are close to the rail line.
		Your average city's light rail system carries no more than about 1% of trips on any given day, yet since taxes are collected at large often by sales tax etc. 80-90% of the population, including the vast majorities that never use rail, essentially pays for that 1% who do.
	www.freerepublic.com /focus/f-news/968336/posts (3184 words)

	229A (Cr. ref. 1005, 1007, 1016) (Site not responding. Last check: )
		The Hiawatha Light Rail Project Management Plan ("PMP") was submitted to the FTA by the Metropolitan Council, as the proposed grantee of the FTA funds.
		The light rail transit plan or first phase of the plan required by this section must be adopted by the council before the commissioner of transportation may begin construction of light rail transit facilities.
		Upon completion of construction of light rail transit facilities and the commencement of revenue service using the facilities, the Metropolitan Council is directed to operate the facilities.
	www.ag.state.mn.us /office/opinions/063000.htm (3007 words)

	Metropolitan Council - Hiawatha light-rail line (Site not responding. Last check: )
		A recent survey of Metro Transit customers leaves no doubt that were it not for buses and light rail, many more people would be driving solo on the region's roads and highways.
		The Hiawatha line has proven to be a powerful catalyst for development in a corridor that once had large tracts of vacant and underutilized land.
		The plan includes construction of the region's second light rail transit line in the Central Corridor between downtown St. Paul and downtown Minneapolis, connecting there with the Hiawatha LRT line and the planned Northstar commuter rail line.
	metrocouncil.org /transportation/lrt/lrt.htm (222 words)

	Metroblogging Minneapolis: Light (Rail) at the End of the Tunnel
		Tomorrow the Hiawatha Light Rail Line is opening the Airport/Mall of America leg of the line.
		As one friend said when the first leg of the light rail opened, it makes Minneapolis feel like a "grown-up city." I even bought my condo where I did in part because of its proximity to a light rail station.
		The light rail project seems light a light at the end of the traffic nightmare in the Cities.
	minneapolis.metblogs.com /archives/2004/12/light_rail_at_t.phtml (457 words)

	Bombardier / Transportation / Rail Vehicles / Light Rail / Minneapolis LRV (Site not responding. Last check: )
		Light rail has arrived in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota (USA), and Bombardier Transportation is building the state-of-the-art vehicles that make the region's new Hiawatha Light Rail Line go.
		Light rail vehicles (LRVs) for the Hiawatha Line use a 70% low-floor architecture specifically designed to fit the needs of "new start" light rail projects in North American cities like Minneapolis/St. Paul.
		The Hiawatha LRVs incorporate proven engineering designs from successful low-floor products now operating in Europe, such as Bombardier Transportation's light rail vehicles in Cologne, Germany and Stockholm, Sweden.
	www.bombardier.com /en/1_0/1_1/1_1_2/1_1_2_1.html (364 words)

	Elmer L. Andersen made a difference to many
		While light rail is different from commuter rail because its trains run all day long and on weekends, some lessons can be learned from the unexpectedly high ridership.
		While the novelty of riding light rail has not worn off, officials are cautiously optimistic that people in South Minneapolis are using the system to go to places and events along it, such as restaurants along Hiawatha Avenue.
		It’s becoming clearer that either light rail or commuter rail are options for any transportation system, because people either will leave their cars at home or at park-and-ride lots and take the trains.
	hometownsource.com /2004/november/10262heinzman.html (614 words)

	Combative House finance committee members question findings of Hiawatha light rail benefit-cost study
		The benefit-cost analysis conducted on the Hiawatha light rail line forecasts a 28-year period, or about the life of a railroad car, said Abigail McKenzie, director of economic analysis for MnDot.
		Phil Krinkie, R, Shoreview, committee chairman and one of the leading House light rail critics, asked the MnDot officials whether the Federal Transportation Administration had received a copy of their benefit-cost analysis.
		Though future State Government Finance Committee hearings on light rail are planned, a good deal of time Monday was spent re-examining how the costs were presented to the Legislature.
	www.hometownsource.com /capitol/1999/november/1117rail.html (820 words)

	MPR: Media mob Minneapolis light rail for free ride
		Hiawatha light rail spokesman Josh Collins tried to take the edge off the chilling event by pointing out the overhead lamps.
		Unlike herky-jerky rides on buses, which joust for space in traffic and brake heavily for stops, light rail vehicles maintain a constant speed on their own right of way and then glide to a stop at stations.
		Hiawatha officials say driver and pedestrian behavior is shaping up nicely along the line, as residents get the hang of living with a form of transit last seen in the Twin Cities in l954.
	news.minnesota.publicradio.org /features/2004/01/28_olsond_trainride (804 words)

	Hennepin County > View All Peter McLaughlin, District 4 What's New Archive (Site not responding. Last check: )
		The April 3rd opening of the Hiawatha Light Rail Transit line will be delayed due to the Metro Transit strike.
		Hiawatha light rail line will open the stations at the airport and the Mall of America, a month ahead of schedule, on December 4.
		Customers rode Hiawatha light rail trains 424,000 times in September, 87 percent higher than the expected ridership of 227,000.
	www.co.hennepin.mn.us /vgn/portal/internet/hcnewsarchivemaster/0,2308,1273_1736,00.html (171 words)

	Case Study: Hiawatha Light Rail Transit - Public Private Partnerships - FHWA
		Hiawatha Light Rail links downtown Minneapolis with Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport and the Mall of America.
		The project utilized two separate design-build contracts for light: one for rail vehicles, and one to place rail and signal and communication equipment along the alignment.
		Although design-build contracts are used for the rest of the LRT route the Metropolitan Airport Commission officials opted on a design-bid-build procurement for the two 7,400 foot airport tunnels.
	www.fhwa.dot.gov /ppp/hiawatha.htm (388 words)

	Rail - Not Worth the Wait (Site not responding. Last check: )
		As several North Carolina cities consider urban rail projects, this new Reason study finds the areas, like many across the country, are all ill-suited for rail and would be better off adding additional lane capacity to roads and pursuing mass transit options like bus rapid transit.
		Light rail is a well-documented disaster for transit users and taxpayers.
		Plans for more rail are in the works, but officials still expect that -- even by 2030 -- over 90 percent of commuters in California's three largest metro areas will get to work by car.
	www.rppi.org /railnotworth.shtml (2627 words)

	LRT, Bus, Park-and-Ride Improvements in Bloomington (Site not responding. Last check: )
		The Hiawatha Light Rail Transit route runs 12 miles from downtown Minneapolis to the Mall of America and includes 17 stations.
		Light rail poses safety risks only to those who intentionally ignore barriers and warnings.
		Along with the arrival of light rail, expanded bus service and route changes are providing more travel options for those who live or work in Bloomington.
	www.ci.bloomington.mn.us /cityhall/dept/commdev/topics/lrt/lrt.htm (546 words)

	Light Rail Now News Overview
		Light rail transit had the highest percentage of growth among all modes of urban public transportation, with an average increase of 5.4%.
		France's amazing light rail transit revolution has just passed another milestone with the opening on 16 June of the new electric light rail tramway at Valenciennes – yet another demonstration that LRT tramway technology is applicable even in medium-sized and smaller communities.
		Light rail transit systems in North America have continued to exhibit a spectacular pace of expansion in recent months, and the latest new LRT openings are highlighted in a series of articles.
	www.lightrailnow.org /news.htm (3430 words)

	MassTransitMag.com » Article » Next Stop: Northstar, LRT and the New Twins Stadium in Minneapolis
		Plans for commuter rail and an extension of the light rail line down 5th Street were well advanced before the Legislature voted this spring in favor of a new Twins stadium next to the new rail connection.
		Light rail tracks will continue past the ballpark around the corner to the entrance to Hennepin County's garbage burner on N. 6th Street.
		Hiawatha light rail will be extended down 5th Street to a station at the concourse level of the new ballpark.
	www.masstransitmag.com /article/article.jsp?siteSection=3&id=1716 (930 words)

	Light Rail Commentary (Site not responding. Last check: )
		With light rail’s cost estimates increasing at a shocking rate, who wouldn’t be hesitant to foot part of the bill?
		The simple truth is that if light rail stands a chance, it will be due, in large part, to the draw of the Mall of America.
		To claim that they owe something to our government much less a $1.9 million light rail station is ridiculous, even for this group.
	www.billbelanger.org /releases/lightrail030800.htm (559 words)

	The Hiawatha Light-Rail Disaster » The Antiplanner
		One of the arguments for light rail is that it is supposed to have lower operating costs than buses.
		But Minneapolis’ Hiawatha light rail is losing so much money that Hennepin County wants a region-wide sales tax to cover the costs of what Minnesota Governor Pawlenty calls “these very expensive transit projects.” The feds were subsidizing it with a $10 million grant, but that ended last year.
		You state the thesis that light rail is more expensive to operate, yet you only include data for light rail.
	www.ti.org /antiplanner/?p=20 (2840 words)

	Light rail recommended for Cedar Avenue
		A consultant hired by Dakota County is recommending that a light rail transit line be built along Cedar Avenue from the Mall of America to 157th Street in Apple Valley.
		Gene Franchett, a Dakota County planner, said that the capital cost of light rail is daunting, but the annual maintenance is less than that of a busway, so the light rail line would be more cost effective over the life of the transitway.
		Turner said that a rail bridge was supposed to be a component of the bridge when it was built in the early 1980s, but the project went over budget and only the freeway lanes were completed.
	www.thisweek-online.com /2000/november/17train.html (628 words)

	Transit for Livable Communities
		Those citizens incorporated Transit for Livable Communities the next year and worked together to make the case for light rail at the legislature in 1998 and 1999 when state matching funds for Hiawatha were approved.
		After decades of work to bring light rail to the region, a big celebration was truly in order – and Metro Transit put on a big one June 26th.
		The growing commitment to light rail transit is not a trendy craze over a new technology.
	www.tlcminnesota.org /Alternatives/rail_alternative.htm (847 words)

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