Northern Lights Express

MnDOT thoroughly analyzed the NLX Project and its impacts. Through its analysis, coordination with affected agencies, public and community involvement, and comment letters received, MnDOT has determined that the proposed project, as described in the Tier 2 EA, does not have the potential for significant impact and has issued a Negative Declaration for the project. The Negative Declaration and the Findings of Fact and Conclusions (FOF&C) supporting the decision (signed March 2, 2018) concludes the State of Minnesota’s environmental review process.

• Findings of Fact and Conclusions
• Appendix A Public Involvement
• Appendix B Agency Comment Letters and Responses to Tier 2 Project Level EA
• Appendix C Public Comment Letters and Thematic Responses to Tier 2 Project Level EA
• Appendix D Recent Project Correspondence

The Federal Railroad Administration issued a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) on February 20, 2018 which is consistent with the state’s determination. This concludes the federal environmental process.

• Finding of No Significant Impact
• Appendix A Errata to the Tier 2 Project Level EA
• Appendix B Agency Comment Letters and Responses to the Tier 2 Project Level EA
• Appendix C Public Comment Letters and Thematic Responses to Tier 2 Project Level EA
• Appendix D Agency Correspondence
• Appendix E Final Section 4(f) and Section 6(f) Evaluation

The Tier 2 Project Level Environmental Assessment builds on the Tier 1 Service Level Environmental Assessment prepared in 2013. The Tier 2 EA addresses specific project related issues and likely environmental effects associated with proposed track infrastructure, stations, and layover and maintenance facilities. MnDOT issued this EA for public review and comment during the period from April 24, 2017 through May 24, 2017. Public hearing/open house meetings were held to review and comment on the EA in May 2017.

Files are in PDF format.

• Cover, Signature Page, Executive Summary (5.3 MB)
  This file contains the cover, signature pages, and the executive summary of the NLX Tier 2 Project Level Environmental Assessment (EA).
• Table of Contents, Acronyms and Abbreviations List (212 KB)
  This file includes the table of contents for the Tier 2 EA and the definitions of acronyms and abbreviations used throughout the Tier 2 EA.
• Chapter 1 Purpose and Need (605 KB)
  Chapter 1 describes the NLX Project, including its location. Chapter 1 also provides background information on the NLX Project and discusses the purpose and need for the NLX Project.
• Chapter 2 Alternatives (8.5 MB)
  Chapter 2 discusses the alternatives evaluated in the Tier 1 Service Level EA, proposed infrastructure improvements under Tier 2, and the No Build Alternative and the Build Alternative carried forward for analysis in the Tier 2 EA.
• Chapter 3 Transportation (3.8 MB)
  Chapter 3 describes the existing transportation conditions in the NLX study area, the potential transportation impacts of the No Build Alternative and the Build Alternative, and the proposed avoidance, minimization and mitigation measures.
• Chapter 4 Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences (10.4 MB)
  Chapter 4 describes the existing social, economic and environmental conditions in the NLX study area, the potential impacts of the No Build Alternative and the Build Alternative, and the proposed avoidance, minimization and mitigation measures.
• Chapter 5 Public and Agency Involvement (286 KB)
  Chapter 5 describes the public and agency involvement activities that have been undertaken to date for the Tier 2 EA process, as well as a list of the permits and approvals that are anticipated to complete the NLX Project and the steps in the public review process that will occur to complete this Tier 2 EA and to prepare appropriate decision documents.
• Chapter 6 References (258 KB)
  Chapter 6 lists all of the references, organized by chapter, cited in the Tier 2 EA.
• Appendix A Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) EA Reference Table and EA Form (296 KB)
  Appendix A includes a reference table identifying where in the Tier 2 EA the Minnesota Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) questions are addressed; the EAW form; and a table of the Sections, Townships, and Ranges that the NLX Project would pass through.
• Appendix B Facilities Site Evaluation and Design Technical Memorandum (56.6 MB)
  Appendix B documents the current planning and design phase for the NLX station, maintenance and layover facilities being considered for the NLX Project. The report documents the analysis process, describes the required facility program elements, evaluates the facility site alternatives, and presents the conceptual design plans and cost estimates prepared for the selected NLX facility sites.
• Appendix C Technical Documents in Support of NLX Service Plan (10.6 MB)
  Appendix C includes the following technical documents in support of the NLX service plan:
  • Preliminary Economic Impact Analysis, December 3, 2015
  • Preliminary Benefit Cost Analysis, December 3, 2015
  • Ridership and Revenue Forecast, October 2015
  • Capital Cost Report, January 2017
  • Operating and Maintenance Costs and Capital Replacement Forecast, January 2017
• Appendix D Detailed Figures (88.6 MB)
  Appendix D presents detailed figures showing the NLX Project construction limits and resources present throughout the NLX study area.
• Appendix E Build Alternative Design Information (740 KB)
  Appendix E includes typical cross sections, a table of proposed grade crossing improvements, and a table of proposed bridge and culvert improvements.
• Appendix F Ridership Model Results (1.3 MB)
  Appendix F includes traffic circulation analysis tables identifying the vehicular trips added to the network for the AM and PM peaks in year 2040.
• Appendix G Synchro Traffic Model Results (1.4 MB)
  Appendix G includes model results for the local street network near the proposed Cambridge NLX station, showing the existing PM peak traffic and the PM peak traffic with the addition of NLX riders.
• Appendix H Bicycle, Pedestrian and Trails Information (21.0 MB)
  Appendix H provides bicycle, pedestrian and trails information for Minneapolis, Coon Rapids, Cambridge, Hinckley, and Duluth.
• Appendix I Agency Coordination (29.8 MB)
  Appendix I includes documentation from agency coordination meetings, agency Tier 2 EA recommendations, and cooperating agency letters.
• Appendix J Wetlands (699 KB)
  Appendix J includes detailed wetland GIS analysis methodology and a table of potential wetland impacts.
• Appendix K Limited Phase I Environmental Site Assessment main document (7.0 MB)
  Appendix K provides the Limited Phase I Environmental Site Assessment conducted for the NLX Project.
• Appendix K, Attachment A Site Figures (2.1 MB)
  Appendix K, Attachment A includes the figures for the Limited Phase I Environmental Site Assessment.
• Appendix K, Attachment B, Part 1 (74.6 MB)
  Appendix K, Attachment B, Part 1 includes Environmental Data Resources Inc (EDR) reports and historical data for Target Field Station and Coon Rapids Station.
• Appendix K, Attachment B, Part 2 (47.7 MB)
  Appendix K, Attachment B, Part 2 includes EDR reports and historical data for Cambridge Station; Hinckley Station; and Superior, Wisconsin Station.
• Appendix K, Attachment B, Part 3 (78.8 MB)
  Appendix K, Attachment B, Part 3 includes EDR reports and historical data for Duluth Station and the Duluth maintenance and/or layover facility.
• Appendix K, Attachment B, Part 4 (92.8 MB)
  Appendix K, Attachment B, Part 4 includes EDR reports and historical data for Sandstone Maintenance Facility and new bridge construction.
• Appendix K, Attachment C (5.6 MB)
  Appendix K, Attachment C includes site photographs for the Limited Phase I Environmental Site Assessment.
• Appendix K, Attachment D (18.8 MB)
  Appendix K, Attachment D includes signal upgrade and new bridge schematics for the Limited Phase I Environmental Site Assessment.
• Appendix L Socioeconomic Census Data (317 KB)
  Appendix L presents detailed socioeconomic census data by census tract within the NLX Project study area.
• Appendix M Inventory of Community Facilities (345 KB)
  Appendix M provides a list of community facilities by county that are located within the NLX Project study area.
• Appendix N Environmental Justice Tables (517 KB)
  Appendix N presents tables that contain minority and low-income data for each census tract and community that are within or bisect the NLX Project study area.
• Appendix O Public Involvement (10.1 MB)
  Appendix O includes public meeting summaries and published newsletters sent to NLX Project stakeholders.
• Appendix P Cultural Resources (7.0 MB)
  Appendix P includes correspondence with the Minnesota Historic Preservation Office (MnHPO) and Wisconsin State Historic Preservation Office (WisSHPO); the Programmatic Agreement among FRA, the Surface Transportation Board, Minnesota Department of Transportation, Wisconsin Department of Transportation, Minnesota State Historic Preservation Office (now MnHPO), and WisSHPO; and property location maps for properties listed on and eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places within the Area of Potential Effect for the NLX Project.
• Appendix Q Draft Section 4(f) and Section 6(f) Evaluation (524 KB)
  Appendix Q presents the Draft Section 4(f) and Section 6(f) Evaluation, which analyzes the NLX Project impacts based on proposed construction limits that have been updated since the Tier 1 EA.

On Aug. 21, 2013 the Federal Railroad Administration issued a Finding of No Significant Impact on the Tier 1 Service Level Environmental Assessment for the NLX High Speed Intercity Passenger Rail Project between Minneapolis and Duluth, Minnesota. FRA’s issuance of a FONSI means that the NLX Project will not have significant environmental impacts and, therefore, can proceed to the preliminary engineering and Tier 2 project level environmental review phase.

The Tier 1 EA examined the 155-mile project corridor relative to social, economic and environmental impacts. The Tier 1 EA was available for public comment this spring and comments received were taken into consideration by FRA in preparation of, and included in, the FONSI. Under the state environmental review process, MnDOT, serving as the responsible governmental unit, also issued a Negative Declaration, indicating that a state environmental impact statement is not required.

• Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) (PDF)
• Negative Declaration Letter (PDF) - Signed copy available to view upon request by emailing nlx.dot@state.mn.us
• Findings of Fact and Conclusion (PDF)
• Responses to Comments on the Environmental Assessment (PDF 27 MB)

Tier 1 Service Level Environmental Assessment

The Federal Railroad Administration has approved the publication of the Tier 1 Service Level Environmental Assessment for the Northern Lights Express High Speed Passenger Rail Project from Minneapolis to Duluth, MN. The Tier 1 EA was prepared by MnDOT in consultation with the FRA, the Minneapolis-Duluth/Superior Passenger Rail Alliance and with cooperation from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. It documents the purpose and need of the project along with the anticipated service-wide social, economic and environmental impacts. It also sets the foundation for subsequent Tier 2 Project Level EAs to be completed as additional design details are developed. It was available for public comment March 18, 2013 through April 17, 2013.

Tier 1 Service Level Environmental Assessment and Appendices

• NLX environmental assessment (PDF 3 MB)
• Appendices (PDF 18 MB)
  • Appendix A - Supporting Documents (PDF 1 MB) Reference chart comparing information analyzed in the Federal Environmental Assessment and in the State Environmental Assessment Worksheet, as well as a copy of a standard EAW form. The NLX EA meets the requirements of both the federal EA and state EAW documents. Also includes a table with all the Township, Range and Sections through which the NLX corridor passes.  There is also a brief description of the three alternative development studies for the NLX corridor, completed prior to the NLX EA.
  • Appendix B - Alternatives Analysis (PDF 0.5 MB) Provides additional detail on the alternatives analysis of potential rail corridors and the screening that occurred to reduce the number of alternatives from 17 to the one finally selected for study in the EA. There are tables describing the various track segments and route alternatives, and two letters documenting MnDOT’s and FRA’s support of the identified route for study.
  • Appendix C-1 - Corridor Assessment Level 1 Screening Report (PDF 6 MB) provides documentation on the initial analysis of route alternatives for the NLX Corridor.  The Level 1 Screening identified the routes that met the purpose and need for the project and screened the alternatives against criteria including route distance and travel time; population; presence of route defects; capital costs.  Information on each route is included in this appendix; routes were analyzed and ranked for further study.
  • Appendix C-2 - Functional Analysis of Routes 9, 11 and 11a Level 2 Analysis (PDF 7 MB) Includes the Level 2 analysis of three routes, Routes 9, 11, and 11a, and was used to further refine the alternatives and to identify the alternative for study in the NLX EA. The Level 2 analysis provides additional information on capital cost estimates, ridership forecasts, operational costs and resulting benefit-cost analysis for the three selected routes
  • Appendix D - Bridge Rehabilitation Description (PDF 0.5 MB) Appendix D includes a description of rehabilitation that is anticipated for open deck railroad bridges in the NLX railroad corridor.
  • Appendix E - NLX Corridor Refinement, City of Braham, MN (PDF 0.5 MB) Appendix E includes information regarding efforts to minimize property impacts in Braham, Minnesota, where the railroad is located in downtown adjacent to a city park. The appendix also includes a graphic of Braham and notes from the open house meeting conducted on this matter.
  • Appendix F - Threatened and Endangered Species (PDF 0.5 MB)

    contains correspondence between FRA and the US Fish and Wildlife Service regarding threatened and endangered species, as well as lists of species in Minnesota and Wisconsin.

  • Appendix G - Wetland Assessment Methodology (PDF 0.5 MB) Detailed wetland assessment methodology, summary of field data and site locations are included in this appendix. 
  • Appendix H - Correspondence (PDF 0.5 MB) Environmental correspondence between the project staff and the US Coast Guard; Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources; and Natural Resources Conservation Service are included in this appendix.
  • Appendix I - Contaminated Properties/Hazardous Materials (PDF 0.5 MB) Tables listing contaminated sites within 500 feet of new track or siding in Wisconsin and Minnesota are shown.
  • Appendix I-1 - Cultural Resources (PDF 1.5 MB) AppendixI-1 contains materials supporting the analysis of cultural resources in the EA, including correspondence; a draft Programmatic Agreement and attachments that will guide further cultural resources analysis; and the Area of Potential Effects and requests for tribal consultation for historic and archaeological resources survey. 
  • Appendix J - Community Facilities (PDF 0.5 MB) This appendix contains a list of all community facilities and their distance from the NLX corridor, in communities along the corridor.  
  • Appendix K - Public and Private Railroad Crossings (PDF 0.5 MB) This appendix contains a table showing all at-grade railroad crossings in the corridor and describes  the crossing location, type of crossing such as public or private, and current warning device.
  • Appendix L - Environmental Justice (PDF 0.5 MB) This appendix contains 2010 census data for populations, household and race, as well as income and poverty levels for each county and census tract in the NLX Corridor.  The data is used to identify, address and avoid disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental effects of the project on minority populations and low-income populations, as called for in Executive Order 12898, “Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations.”
  • Appendix M - Public Involvement (PDF 0.5 MB) This appendix includes copies of a newsletter (November 2009); a flyer on public meetings in 2010; and open house summary reports from eight meetings held between December 2009 and August 2010.

Noise

• Noise policy memo (PDF 0.5 MB)
• Noise and vibration technical report (PDF 8 MB)

Historic property survey reports:

• Northern Lights Express Cultural Resources presentation - April 25, 2017 (PDF)
• Final NLX Phase I & II Architectural History Report - Vol. 1 (PDF, 10 MB)
• Final NLX Phase I & II Architectural History Report - Vol. 2 (PDF, 55.67 MB)
• Duluth Union Depot Re-evaluation (PDF)

Assessment of effects:

• NLX Section 106 Determination of Effects – July 2017 (PDF)

Section 106 Programmatic Agreement

• Appendix I-1 - Cultural Resources (PDF 1.5 MB) AppendixI-1 contains materials supporting the analysis of cultural resources in the EA, including correspondence; a draft Programmatic Agreement and attachments that will guide further cultural resources analysis; and the Area of Potential Effects and requests for tribal consultation for historic and archaeological resources survey. 

Section 106 Programmatic Agreement Annual Reports

• NLX PA Annual Report 01-Final
• NLX PA Annual Report 02-Final

• May 2017 open house summary (PDF)
• May 2017 display boards (PDF)
• May 2017 handouts (PDF)
• May 2017 comment sheet (PDF)