The Northstar rail line was envisioned as a convenient way for commuters to live in northern Twin Cities suburbs and hop a train to work in downtown Minneapolis.

To help that happen, cities along its 40-mile path bought land around the stations and built parking ramps, walkways and other infrastructure.

The Metropolitan Council's decision to suspend the 16-year-old rail service in early January has left cities on Northstar's route uncertain about the future of their stations and the millions of dollars in infrastructure surrounding them.

At the Anoka station, Mayor Erik Skogquist pointed toward a parking ramp, a pedestrian overpass and two stairwells with elevators – all built since the rail line opened in 2009.

"Right now, it's kind of murky,” he said. “But what we were told originall

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