Contents Executive Summary...1 Introduction...2 Operating Plan...4 System Connectivity...5 Project Benefits...6 Economic Growth...7 Infrastructure Improvements...9 Quality of Life... 11 Next Steps... 12 For More Information... 13 Hinckley, MN (Photo courtesy Tim Kiser) Minneapolis, MN Superior, WI Duluth, MN Target Field, Minneapolis, MN (Photo courtesy Randy Stern)
Executive Summary Preliminary analysis has determined that the Northern Lights Express (NLX) can improve the level and quality of passenger rail service in Minnesota by offering a safe, reliable, and frequent service between the cities of Minneapolis, Coon Rapids, Cambridge, Hinckley, Superior, and Duluth. Length of Project Number of Stations Frequency Speed Travel Time Implementation Cost Operating Cost Revenue from Fares Ridership New Job-Years NLX Highlights 152 miles on existing BNSF Railway track 6 stations, plus layover facilities and a maintenance facility 4 trains per day in each direction Up to 90 miles per hour About 2 1/2 hours travel time between the Twin Cities and the Twin Ports $500-$600 million In the range of $17.5 million per year average for the first 5 years of operation In the range of $12.8 million per year average for the first 5 years of operation 700,000-750,000 annual rides in 2020, anticipated to increase to 900,000-1,000,000 rides in 2040 3,100 jobs annually during construction and an average of 380 jobs annually during first 5 years of operation A Tier 1 Environmental Assessment (EA) completed in August 2013 evaluated impacts of the project as a whole, compared multiple corridor alternatives, and resulted in the selection of a preferred corridor with an operating plan of 8 trains per day in each direction at speeds up to 110 miles per hour (MPH). Since the completion of the Tier 1 EA, the NLX project was subjected to a more detailed and in depth review. A preliminary benefit-cost analysis has determined that the most cost-effective operating plan is 4 round trips at a maximum speed of 90 MPH. Building a Stronger Economy and Intercity Connections with High-Speed Rail 2016 1
Introduction The Northern Lights Express (NLX) is a proposed high-speed intercity passenger rail project that would provide service between Minneapolis and Duluth. The NLX project would operate on 152 miles of existing BNSF Railway track. This project is led by the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) in consultation with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and with cooperation from the Minneapolis-Duluth/Superior Passenger Rail Alliance (Alliance), Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT), and local communities. NLX will improve transportation service and the quality of life in Minnesota by providing: A safe and reliable travel alternative to serve business and tourism between Minneapolis and Duluth Improved freight safety and movement An alternative to auto and air travel that is convenient, less stressful, and allows passengers to work, socialize, read, and enjoy other activities while traveling A viable transportation option for non-drivers or for those who prefer the convenience of passenger rail More jobs and tax revenue Station-area investments such as pedestrian improvements and transitoriented development opportunities that create compact, livable, and walkable communities HENNEPIN 65 KANABEC Cambridge ISANTI Minneapolis Hinckley ANOKA 35 M ST. LOUIS CARLTON W 35 PINE INNESOTA Coon Rapids-Foley I SCONSIN Duluth LAKE SUPERIOR Superior DOUGLAS Proposed corridor alignment with stations The purpose of the NLX is to provide an alternative travel option between Minneapolis and Duluth that is safe, reliable, and frequent. 2 Northern Lights Express Service Plan 2016
Preferred Alternative The NLX project includes 6 STATIONS, LAYOVER FACILITIES, AND A MAINTENANCE FACILITY. NLX will provide CONNECTIONS to bus lines, bike trails, Northstar Commuter Rail, Blue Line Light Rail Transit (LRT), GREEN LINE LRT, Amtrak intercity rail service, future high-speed rail service to Chicago, AND OTHER INTERMODAL opportunities at new stations. Uses 152 miles of existing track to connect rural, small urban, and major metropolitan areas Next Generation High-Speed Locomotive Modern train equipment operating at speeds up to 90 miles per hour. NLX PROJECT WILL PROVIDE capital investments in rail infrastructure to improve passenger and freight rail SAFETY AND RELIABILITY on shared track. Travel time between the Twin Cities and the Twin Ports will be about 2 1/2 hours. Building a Stronger Economy and Intercity Connections with High-Speed Rail 2016 3
Operating Plan The NLX operating plan optimizes the relationship between service levels, estimated ridership, and revenue generated. A preferred corridor was selected in 2013 based on the Tier 1 Environmental Assessment with an operating plan of 8 trains per day in each direction at speeds up to 110 MPH. Preliminary benefit-cost analysis in 2015 has determined that the most cost-effective operating plan is 4 round trips per day at speeds up to 90 MPH. Proposed NLX Schedule: 4 Round Trips at 90 MPH READ DOWN TRAIN TRAIN 7003 7007 7009 7013 Station 7002 7006 7010 7014 4:57 7:17 12:34 5:14 Duluth Union Depot 11:18 2:18 7:58 11:43 5:13 7:33 12:50 5:30 Superior 11:02 2:02 7:42 11:27 6:14 8:34 1:51 6:31 Hinckley 9:56 12:56 6:36 10:26 6:44 9:09 2:26 7:06 Cambridge 9:26 12:26 6:06 9:56 7:11 9:36 2:53 7:33 Coon Rapids 8:59 11:59 5:39 9:29 7:30 9:55 3:12 7:52 Target Field Station 8:40 11:40 5:20 9:10 2h 33m 2h 38m 2h 38m 2h 38m Trip Time 2h 38m 2h 38m 2h 38m 2h 33m PM times in bold READ UP Next Generation High-Speed Locomotives For the first 5 years, operating costs are expected to average in the range of $17.5 million per year, with anticipated revenue from fares of approximately $12.8 million average per year. For planning purposes, it has been assumed that the one-way fare between Minneapolis and Duluth will be approximately $30, but further analysis of fares will be part of the Financial Plan. MnDOT policy will be to set fares to maximize revenue. The annual subsidy is expected to decrease over time as fare levels are fine-tuned to respond to the maturing passenger rail market. 4 Northern Lights Express Service Plan 2016
System Connectivity Midwest Regional Rail System Plan Minneapolis- St. Paul Amtrak Surfliner (Photo courtesy Patrick Todd) Chicago To Big Lake To Twin Ports NLX STATIONS WILL CONNECT and be accessible through multiple modes of transportation NLX will have stations at Target Field (Minneapolis), Coon Rapids, Cambridge, Hinckley, Superior, and Duluth (Depot) with 4 trains per day in each direction Northern Lights Express Northstar Line Blue Line Green Line Red Line Orange Line Gold Line Arterial BRT Mode and alignment not yet specified Regional Multimodal Hub Target Field Station Union Depot Building a Stronger Economy and Intercity Connections with High-Speed Rail 2016 5
Project Benefits Preliminary analysis demonstrates that NLX can provide a safe, reliable, and frequent travel alternative to both air and auto transportation. Businesses that rely on freight service can experience heightened efficiency through improved freight movement. The preliminary project benefits described in dollar amounts are based on 2014 dollars, discounted at 7% over a 40-year analysis period. Safety PROJECT BENEFITS Environmental Sustainability Economic Competitiveness Quality of Life NLX will provide safe, reliable, and frequent service to events and destinations, such as professional sporting events in the Twin Cities and Grandma s Marathon in Duluth. Project Benefits Benefits in Millions (2014 $) Safety Reduced Highway Fatalities and Crashes $70 Reduced Crashes at Grade Crossings $95 Total Safety Benefits in the range of $165 Environmental Sustainability Emissions Savings and C02 Reductions (auto) $25 Emissions Savings and C02 Reductions (trains) $22 Total Environmental Sustainability in the range of $47 Economic Competitiveness Travel Cost Savings $46 Productivity Savings $36 Hwy 65 Marginal Congestion Savings $57 I-35 Marginal Congestion and Crash Benefit $2 Operating Costs Savings (train) $17 Total Economic Competitiveness Effects in the range of $158 Quality of Life and Other Effects Property Premium $136 Residual Value of New Infrastructure $7 Total Quality of Life and Other Effects in the range of $143 6 Northern Lights Express Service Plan 2016
Economic Growth Preliminary analysis shows that NLX will support existing industries and the growth of new businesses by improving access between communities, creating more temporary and permanent jobs, increasing tax revenue, and fostering tourism activity throughout the corridor. FISCAL GROWTH Construction and operation of NLX will increase income, retail sales, and property tax base Over a 40-year period, NLX will generate in the range of $355 million in taxes Rendering of a typical NLX station, birdseye view looking southeast Combined, the first year of construction and the first year of operation will increase state and local tax revenue in the range of $16 million Based on a preliminary return on investment analysis, the results show a positive return on investment. Fiscal Growth Tourism Increase Economic Growth Economic Development Job Growth Building a Stronger Economy and Intercity Connections with High-Speed Rail 2016 7
Economic Growth, continued ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NLX will foster economic growth around each of the stations located near Target Field in Minneapolis, the existing Depot in Duluth, and at stations in Coon Rapids, Cambridge, Hinckley, and Superior The new service, along with stations and passenger activity, will result in increased property values, increased investments, and station-related development NLX is expected to generate in the range of $136 million in increased property values. JOB GROWTH Preliminary analysis shows that construction and operation of the NLX will support an estimated increase in employment in the range of 3,100 jobs annually during construction and an average of 380 jobs annually during the first 5 years of operation It will support and encourage existing and new businesses along the corridor from Duluth to the Twin Cities and will provide employees with a reliable and cost-effective way to get to and from work NLX will broaden the labor market and connect workers to a wider network of employers. TOURISM INCREASE NLX will foster tourism activity and special event attendance in the corridor Tourism includes people traveling to the Duluth and Superior portions of the corridor for vacations, traveling to the Hinckley area for activities and events at the Grand Casino, and traveling to Target Field and other sports and entertainment facilities in the Twin Cities NLX will result in tourism revenues in the range of $378 million, which will support about 10,600 total job years and wages in the range of $233 million over a 40-year period. 8 Northern Lights Express Service Plan 2016
Infrastructure Improvements The total implementation cost of NLX is estimated between $500-$600 million. Because NLX will operate primarily on existing track owned by the BNSF Railway, that is in excellent condition, the implementation costs are lower than for many other passenger rail services in the United States. The following project elements support NLX service: Safety improvements at highway/railroad grade crossings Track and signal improvements to increase train capacity Track improvements to increase passenger train speed to 90 MPH between Coon Rapids and Superior Stations Maintenance and layover facilities Locomotives and coaches Professional services such as final design, construction management, testing, and commissioning 25% contingency Total Implementation Cost of $500-600 million. Rail Corridor Building a Stronger Economy and Intercity Connections with High-Speed Rail 2016 9
Infrastructure Improvements continued GRADE CROSSING IMPROVEMENT BENEFITS Safety benefits for auto and freight users Upgraded crossings Grade crossing improvements reduce crashes for both trains and autos. FREIGHT BENEFITS Upgraded crossings Improved speed, reliability, and safety of freight movements Decreased emissions Benefits related to freight operations throughout the state More efficient business Benefits to shippers Reduced blocked crossing incidents Improved Rail Grade Crossing Existing Rail Grade Crossing Additional rail capacity brings the value of improved freight movement and more efficient business. 10 Northern Lights Express Service Plan 2016
Quality of Life NLX will result in environmental sustainability benefits. Emissions savings and CO 2 reductions are in the range of $47 million resulting in an overall positive impact on the quality of life in the communities it serves. ENVIRONMENTAL NLX will result in improved air quality and reduced fuel consumption due to a shift in use from automobiles and airplanes to trains, which generate fewer air pollutants Since NLX operates on existing track, it also can potentially reduce environmental impacts on sensitive habitats and water resources (floodplains, streams, and wetlands) by reducing the need to expand highways or airports QUALITY OF LIFE NLX will have a positive impact on the quality of life in the communities it serves by improving transportation choices, bringing jobs, fostering new growth, adding money to the local economy, and improving the local tax base Rendering of a typical NLX station, warming shelter, looking south Total air pollution benefit due to diverted auto trips to rail is approximately $25 million over 40 years. Building a Stronger Economy and Intercity Connections with High-Speed Rail 2016 11
Next Steps MnDOT is currently conducting preliminary engineering and completing the Tier 2 project level environmental review. Further coordination is taking place with FRA and BNSF Railway to continue to evaluate the benefit-cost analysis. This phase of the NLX project will be completed in early 2017. MnDOT, in consultation with NLX project partners, will prepare a Financial Plan that outlines the federal and state funding required to advance the project as well as the manner in which the operating subsidy will be funded. If funding is available in a timely manner, service could begin as early as 2020. Schedule Timeline 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 WE ARE HERE Tier 2 Project Level Environmental Review & Engineering (1.5 years) Final Design and Construction (2.5 years) Testing Operation Public Engagement (Ongoing) SERVICE STARTS JAN. 1, 2020 12 Northern Lights Express Service Plan 2016
For More Information To submit questions or provide comments, please contact: Minnesota Department of Transportation 395 John Ireland Blvd, Saint Paul, MN 55155 www.mndot.gov/nlx nlx.dot@state.mn.us Frank Loetterle NLX Project Manager francis.loetterle@state.mn.us ((651) 366-3194 Bob Manzoline Executive Director, NLX Alliance bmanzoline@rrauth.com ((218) 744-2653 This document was prepared by the Alliance in cooperation with MnDOT. Rendering of a typical NLX station, birdseye view looking northeast Building a Stronger Economy and Intercity Connections with High-Speed Rail 2016 13
rev. 08.02.16