ANOKA, Minn. — Support for Northstar commuter rail remains strong in the corridor from Minneapolis to St. Cloud/Rice, and in communities outside of the corridor, according a poll released today by the Northstar Corridor Development Authority (NCDA).
Seventy-seven percent of corridor residents believe Northstar commuter rail is a good idea, with 82% saying they will use Northstar for popular destinations such as the airport, entertainment, shopping or commuting to work. The poll, conducted September 26 through October 2, 2002 by Decision Resources, Ltd. of Minneapolis, demonstrates that public support for the commuter rail project continues to be strong, despite the Legislature’s refusal earlier this year to approve a state match of federal funding made available by Congress and the Bush Administration.
“Corridor surveys have consistently demonstrated that three of every four residents support Northstar commuter rail,” declared Paul McCarron, Chair of the NCDA. “They want a better transportation system, and they know Northstar is the best option for our area.”
The poll showed that residents who live in the fast-growing corridor are becoming very concerned about the transportation system they use each day. The poll found that:
— 71% of residents believe congestion has gotten worse in the areas they travel frequently.
— 53% believe their area’s transportation needs are not being adequately served. This is an increase from 36% in a similar poll 16 months ago.
— 67% believe the transportation system will not be sufficient to meet their needs in the next decade.
— 67% look to state government, rather than federal or local government, to solve transportation problems.
The poll also examined the beliefs of people who lived in communities near the Northstar Corridor, such as Buffalo, Sauk Centre, Milaca and Ham Lake. 74% of residents in these areas believed Northstar is a good idea, with 79% believing they would use Northstar commuter rail for one or more popular destinations.
“Over the last two years, polling has demonstrated remarkably strong public support for Northstar commuter rail,” explained Bill Morris, President of Decision Resources, Ltd. “Based on twenty years of experience in polling local issues, Northstar enjoys a level and depth of public support that is higher than almost any other project we have measured. It truly has captured the public’s attention and support.”
When asked to name the most important goals of Northstar, 43% of residents named reducing traffic congestion, with 32% stating the project’s cost- effectiveness and efficiency were most important. 57% percent of residents believed that increasing traffic congestion would make them even more likely to use Northstar commuter rail.
“Polling data like this, along with outside surveys such as the one conducted this past summer by the Minnesota House of Representatives at the State Fair [available at http://www.house.mn/hinfo/2002fair.htm ] further increases the resolve of local elected officials and commuters of the Northstar corridor to get this commuter rail line built,” said McCarron. “It is the most cost-effective and popular choice for this area — and we will not stop fighting for it until the trains are running.”
Survey Methodology
This study contains the results of telephone surveys of 450 randomly selected residents of central and east central Minnesota. Professional interviewers gathered survey responses between September 23 and October 2, 2002. In general, random samples such as this yield results projectable to the entire universe of adult Minnesota residents who live in the survey area within plus or minus 4.7 percentage points in 95 out of 100 cases.
About the Northstar Corridor Development Authority The Northstar Corridor, an 82-mile stretch along highways 10 and 47 from St. Cloud to Minneapolis, is the fastest growing area in Minnesota. The NCDA is a joint powers board of 30 counties, cities, townships and regional railroad authorities along the corridor. For more information about the Northstar Corridor commuter rail project, please visit the NCDA web site at www.mn-GetOnBoard.com .