More Northstar Commuter Rail action at statehouse possible

by T.W. Budig
ECM Capitol Reporter

Rep. Melissa Hortman, DFL-Brooklyn Park, believes lawmakers next session will be working to achieve Phase II of Northstar Commuter Rail development.

To her, that means the addition of stations at Foley Boulevard in Coon Rapids and one in the City of Ramsey. Additionally, Hortman hopes to see the line extended to St. Cloud from its current rail head in Big Lake.

She believes recent comments by Vice President Joe Biden about extending the line has Northstar supporters fired up.

Recently, legislators and others took a ride on Northstar from Big Lake to Minneapolis, and Hortman, for one, found the ride memorable.

“I would say that was my most rewarding day as a state legislator, because it (Northstar) was the reason I ran for office,” said Hortman, who serves on transportation committees in the House.