2007 Capital Budget Req-Glencoe RR Mitigation Project
Support of the 2007 Capital Budget Request
Glencoe Railroad Congestion Mitigation Project
St. Louis Park, Hopkins, and Minnetonka, Minnesota - June 2006
The cities of St. Louis Park, Hopkins and Minnetonka have been working
collaboratively since 1999 to develop mitigation strategies that will reduce the noise
levels emitted from the rail blocking/sorting operations which exceed the State of
Minnesota nighttime noise standards.
Noise from rail operations lasts for at least an hour at a time, and the sound is
generated by both steady and intermittent noises.
The noise caused by the rail operations compromises the quality of life for residents
who live in the South Oak Hill, Sorenson and Elmwood neighborhoods in St. Louis
Park.
This project is the result of a multi-jurisdictional effort that includes the cities of
Glencoe, St. Louis Park, Minnetonka, Hopkins, the Twin Cities and Western Railroad,
and the McLeod County Rail Authority.
Residents support relocating blocking operations to the proposed switchyard in
Glencoe.
Total project costs are approximately $3,000,000. Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty
recently siGned into law $700.000 in bond oroceeds for this oroiect. continGent on the
cities and rail authority securinG the remaininG funds. Federal funding of
$2,000,000 is required to make this project a reality. The remaining $300,000 is
earmarked to come from local and private sources.
The proposed Glencoe Switching Yard would improve the quality of life for residents in
the cities of St. Louis Park, Minnetonka, Hopkins and Glencoe by reducing the noise
and vibrations from rail blocking/sorting operations.
The project would also improve the efficiency and safety of local and state
transportation systems by minimizing the amount of time rail cars create an obstruction
to vehicular traffic at railroad grade crossings. In addition, the Glencoe Switching Yard
would encourage economic growth in the city of Glencoe.
Contact Information for Senators Mark Dayton, Norm Coleman and Congressman
Martin Sabo:
Congressman Martin Sabo
Congressman Sabo's District Office
Marquette Plaza
250 Marquette Avenue, Suite 225
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55401
Phone: (612) 664-8000
Congressman Sabo's Washington, D.C. Office
2336 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Phone: (202) 225-4755.
http://www.house.Qov/formsabo/lMA/issue.htm
Senator Mark Dayton's Office
Metro Area Office
Federal Building, Suite 298
Fort Snelling, Minnesota 55111
Phone: 612-727-5220
Toll free: 888-224-9043
Fax: 612-727-5223
http://davton.senate.Qov/contact/email.cfm
www.davton.senate.Qov
Senator Norm Coleman's Office
Washington Office:
320 Senate Hart Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Main: 202-224-5641
Fax: 202-224-1152
Scheduling: 202-228-1503
Minnesota Office in St. Paul:
2550 University Ave W, Suite 100N
St. Paul, MN 55114
Main: 651-645-0323
Fax: 651-645-3110
Toll Free: 800-642-6041
Washington, DC Office
SR-123, Russell Office Bldg.
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: 202-224-3244
Fax: 202-228-2186
http://coleman.senate.aov/index. cfm?FuseAction=Contact. ContactForm
www.coleman.senate.aov