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Re: Bottineau LRT (Blue Line Extension)

Posted: October 25th, 2017, 9:10 am
by Bakken2016
http://www.startribune.com/lrt-work-wil ... 453006783/

Utility work being done to prepare for heavy construction.

Re: Bottineau LRT (Blue Line Extension)

Posted: October 25th, 2017, 9:21 am
by talindsay
I wonder if Met Council would allow this to slip ahead of SW if there continue to be issues with SW and this one reaches that point.

Re: Bottineau LRT (Blue Line Extension)

Posted: October 25th, 2017, 10:01 am
by Silophant
As I understand it, they're separate, independent projects. If SWLRT keeps getting delayed, there's no reason BBLRT couldn't get ahead of it.

Re: Bottineau LRT (Blue Line Extension)

Posted: January 16th, 2018, 11:32 am
by tmart
The suburbs along the Bottineau line are actually pushing to get it built, and are a bit frustrated that SWLRT has seemingly pushed this project back.

http://www.startribune.com/twin-cities- ... 468507343/

Kind of refreshing to see this kind of local support.

Re: Bottineau LRT (Blue Line Extension)

Posted: January 17th, 2018, 11:45 am
by Bakken2016
https://www.hometownsource.com/sun_post ... ef6d0.html

I agree with Robbinsdale, this should be more than just a giant parking structure. Disable your javascript if you would like to read the article.

Re: Bottineau LRT (Blue Line Extension)

Posted: February 8th, 2018, 10:17 pm
by Bakken2016
BNSF has possibly pulled out from the Blue Line Extension, the below article is the only one I can find.


http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2018/02/0 ... rce=social


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Re: Bottineau LRT (Blue Line Extension)

Posted: February 8th, 2018, 10:42 pm
by DanPatchToget
Now what was the reason for them backing out? Wanted another crashwall, anti-rail GOP legislators wanted them to back out in an attempt to kill this project, or something else? The Monticello Sub. is only used by two roundtrip freights per day; one a very short segment and connecting with the Luce Line (operated by Union Pacific), and one going north towards Albertville (operated by BNSF).

Re: Bottineau LRT (Blue Line Extension)

Posted: February 8th, 2018, 11:49 pm
by mamundsen
Here's another story:

https://www.hometownsource.com/sun_post ... 1d61a.html
BNSF refuses to negotiate with Bottineau Blue Line on right-of-way use

“BNSF is not prepared to proceed with any discussion of passenger rail in this corridor at this time,” wrote BNSF vice president and senior general council Richard E. Weicher in a letter dated Jan. 9, 2018.

“As we explained in discussions some time ago, we do not believe the Blue Line light rail project would be consistent with our passenger principles or protect the long-term viability of freight service along the Monticello Subdivision,” Weicher wrote.
Lots of information and good quotes in the article. Go read it.

Re: Bottineau LRT (Blue Line Extension)

Posted: February 9th, 2018, 7:26 am
by Anondson
If this has been their position for a long time, it is epically irresponsible to spend government effort planning this to the extent we have, spending millions, unless there is some way to override the rail company.

Re: Bottineau LRT (Blue Line Extension)

Posted: February 9th, 2018, 8:08 am
by Bakken2016
Got some insight from a friend that works in the project office for Blue Line Extension, the media is blowing it out proportion, and they received a letter to start negotiations, and not a refusal to negotiate.


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Re: Bottineau LRT (Blue Line Extension)

Posted: February 9th, 2018, 8:21 am
by Anondson
Can someone write an explainer why it makes sense to hold something like starting rail negotiations until this late in the planning and design?

Re: Bottineau LRT (Blue Line Extension)

Posted: February 9th, 2018, 8:45 am
by Multimodal
Headline: CRISIS!

Article: This is a normal and expected situation.

Result: clickbait.

Re: Bottineau LRT (Blue Line Extension)

Posted: February 9th, 2018, 8:52 am
by Mikey
Kinda sounds like BNSF just wants the land to build their wye w/ CP in return for the right to build in their corridor.

Maybe the county saw this coming, really buying the land as a cheap negotiating ploy?

Re: Bottineau LRT (Blue Line Extension)

Posted: February 9th, 2018, 8:59 am
by DanPatchToget
But BNSF and CP already built the alternative to the Crystal connection. Not surprisingly people in NE Minneapolis were pissed, but its a situation where NIMBYs have to pick their poison. So why would BNSF still want that connection?

Re: Bottineau LRT (Blue Line Extension)

Posted: February 9th, 2018, 10:12 am
by acs
Headline: CRISIS!

Article: This is a normal and expected situation.

Result: clickbait.
It's why I wait for a Strib article before reacting to things like this.

Re: Bottineau LRT (Blue Line Extension)

Posted: February 9th, 2018, 12:15 pm
by FISHMANPET
It gave the TV news an opportunity to interview a Republican and let him talk about how LRT is a Bad Investment so there's that.

Re: Bottineau LRT (Blue Line Extension)

Posted: April 16th, 2018, 2:39 pm
by sean
Hennepin County has an interactive map where you can leave notes about walking and biking around the station areas.

In the Golden Valley station area I am pulling for a better connection between Theodore Wirth Park and Sochacki Park, which is directly to Theo Wirth's north. Biking from Theo Wirth through Sochacki eventually lands you in downtown Robbinsdale, and it is a nice ride if you haven't already tried it. It is a little less traveled than sticking to Theo Wirth Parkway because you currently need to ride down Golden Valley Rd for a couple blocks to get into the park.

There has also been discussion about better bike facilities down Golden Valley Rd, which is a county road. Hopefully some improvements can be made here as part of the station area planning so that people can safely get to the station from both Golden Valley and North Minneapolis.

Re: Bottineau LRT (Blue Line Extension)

Posted: April 26th, 2018, 4:48 pm
by sean
BNSF's position towards sharing the corridor with passenger rail remains unchanged. http://www.startribune.com/railroad-not ... 480996701/
An executive with BNSF Railway has told the Metropolitan Council — again — that the company is not interested in sharing its rail corridor with the proposed $1.5 billion Bottineau Blue Line light-rail project.

In an April 24 letter, Richard E. Weicher, BNSF's vice president and senior general counsel, said the Texas-based rail company is "not prepared to proceed with any discussion of passenger rail in this corridor at this time." The letter was addressed to Daniel Soler, the Bottineau Blue Line's project director.

Re: Bottineau LRT (Blue Line Extension)

Posted: April 26th, 2018, 5:59 pm
by kirby96
So this is four months after they initially put forward the same statement. At that time some responses here suggested this was normal course of business stuff. Is that still valid? Seems like at the very least four months have passed with no progress, which doesn’t sound good...

Re: Bottineau LRT (Blue Line Extension)

Posted: April 26th, 2018, 6:37 pm
by VacantLuxuries
Alright, who wants to write the email to Buffett and take a trip out to Omaha for coffee?