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In a little more than two months, Minnesota will welcome its first commuter-rail service. The Metropolitan Council recently announced that Northstar will launch operations on Nov. 16.

The 40-mile Northstar line will offer five morning trips from Big Lake to downtown Minneapolis and five return trips in the afternoon, with stops in Fridley, Coon Rapids, Anoka, Elk River and Big Lake. One reverse-commute round-trip train will run on weekdays, and three trains will operate on Saturdays and Sundays.

The $317 million Northstar project was designed and constructed by the Minnesota Department of Transportation. The line is owned by the Metropolitan Council and managed by Metro Transit.

Meanwhile, the Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon plans to launch operations on the MAX Green light-rail line on Sept. 12. Trains will travel between the Clackamas Town Center and Portland City Center in 39 minutes.