2007 Minnesota Statutes

174.84 COMMUTER RAIL SYSTEM PLANNING.
    Subdivision 1. General plan requirements. By January 15, 2000, the commissioner
shall adopt a commuter rail system plan to ensure that if commuter rail facilities are acquired,
developed, constructed, owned, and operated in Minnesota, these activities will be done in an
efficient, cost-effective manner, and in coordination with buses and other transportation modes
and facilities. The commissioner shall consult with affected regional railroad authorities and may
incorporate into its plan elements of the plans of regional railroad authorities in order to avoid
duplication of efforts. The commissioner may periodically update the system plan.
    Subd. 2. Approval of commuter rail system plan. The commuter rail system plan must be
approved by metropolitan planning organizations in areas in which commuter rail will be located
before the commissioner may begin final design of commuter rail facilities. Following approval of
the plan, the commissioner shall act in conformity with the plan. The commissioner shall ensure
that final design plans are consistent with the commuter rail plan.
    Subd. 3. Engineering standards. The plan must include engineering standards that provide
for integrated operation of all commuter rail equipment, facilities, and services, including security,
station design parameters, fare box systems, and safety.
    Subd. 4. Integration of system. The commissioner and metropolitan planning organizations
shall ensure that if commuter rail facilities are planned, designed, and implemented in Minnesota,
they will be planned, designed, and implemented in such a way as to move transit users to,
from, and within the metropolitan area, and to provide a unified, integrated, and efficient
multimodal transportation system with rail transit lines that interface with each other and with
other transportation facilities.
History: 1999 c 230 s 21