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Page - 9 | 2015 SYSTEM STATEMENT – NEW BRIGHTON TRANSPORTATION Freight - Chapter 8 Most aspects of freight movement are controlled by the private sector, so unlike other sections of the TPP, there is not a specific plan adopted for future public sector investment in freight facilities. However, the discussion of the need for a safe and efficient multimodal freight system has been updated and expanded in the TPP to recognize challenges and opportunities for freight movement as well as the future direction of freight by mode. It acknowledges the closure of the Minneapolis Upper Harbor in 2015, leaving St Paul and Shakopee as the region’s major barge terminal areas in the future. The plan also acknowledges the increase of trains since 2010 carrying oil from North Dakota on BNSF and CP rail tracks, which is expected to continue into the future. Although railroad trackage in the region was significantly decreased over the last 20 years to “right size” the system after federal deregulation, communities should not expect much additional rail abandonment. Many tracks that appear to be seldom used are owned by the smaller Class III railroads that serve local businesses by providing direct rail connections from manufacturing and warehousing/distribution facilities to the major national railroads. The major Class I railroads are approaching capacity and actually adding tracks in some locations. System Plan Considerations Affecting Your Community New Brighton should consult the complete 2040 Transportation Policy Plan in preparing its local comprehensive plan. In addition, New Brighton should consult Thrive MSP 2040 and the current version of the Metropolitan Council’s Local Planning Handbook for specific information needed in its comprehensive plan. Specific system plan considerations affecting New Brighton are detailed below. Metropolitan Highways There are two principal arterials located within New Brighton: I-35W and I-694. The TPP shows a managed lane system vision for the metro area, although current funding is unlikely to allow construction of all these corridors by 2040. This vision includes the addition of a MnPASS lane along I- 35W in your community as a funded project. Transit System New Brighton includes the following Transit Market Areas: Transit Market Area Market Area Description and Typical Transit Services Market Area II Transit Market Area II has high to moderately high population and employment densities and typically has a traditional street grid comparable to Market Area I. Much of Market Area II is also categorized as an Urban Center and it can support many of the same types of fixed-route transit as Market Area I, although usually at lower frequencies or shorter service spans. Market Area III Transit Market Area III has moderate density but tends to have a less traditional street grid that can limit the effectiveness of transit. It is typically Urban with large portions of Suburban and Suburban Edge communities. Transit service in this area is primarily commuter express bus service with some fixed-route local service providing basic coverage. General public dial-a-ride services are available where fixed-route service is not viable. New Brighton should identify and map existing transit services and facilities in the local comprehensive plan. New Brighton should also work with transit providers serving their community to identify potential future transit service options and facilities that are consistent with the TPP and the applicable Transit