Passenger rail projects in Minnesota

There are several passenger rail projects being discussed in Minnesota. There is currently one existing commuter rail service in the state, the Northstar Line, and one existing long-distance intercity rail service, the Empire Builder. Future projects include a mixture of short-distance commuter rail and medium-distance regional rail lines which would run from the Twin Cities outward to neighboring states and perhaps Canada.

This article is focused on heavy-rail projects and does not discuss potential light rail lines in the core Twin Cities area.

Existing service

Northstar

Main article: Northstar Line

The Northstar Line is a state and federally funded commuter rail line that serves a region which from Minneapolis to the northwest toward the central Minnesota city of St. Cloud. The line officially began service on November 16, 2009, and currently runs about half the distance to St. Cloud, terminating in Big Lake, with bus service covering the remaining distance. The train operates at up to 79 miles per hour (127 km/h).

Proposed metropolitan services

These corridors are generally less than 50 miles (80 km) in length, although they could potentially be expanded beyond that distance. These would have relatively frequent stops.

Red Rock

Main article: Red Rock Corridor

The Red Rock Corridor is a 30-mile transportation corridor running from Hastings through downtown St. Paul to downtown Minneapolis traversing the counties of Dakota, Washington, Ramsey, and Hennepin. It is roughly parallel to U.S. Highway 61 and Interstate 94 (I-94) including the Burlington Northern Santa Fe and Canadian Pacific rail lines. It is projected to open by 2018 between Hastings and Minneapolis.^[1]

Cities along the corridor include: Hastings, Denmark Township, Cottage Grove, St. Paul Park, Newport, St. Paul, and Minneapolis. The line could also expand to Red Wing at a later date.

The Minneapolis end of the route would be at Target Field station, and it would connect to Saint Paul Union Depot. Other potential stops include: University of Minnesota Station, Snelling Avenue Station, Rice Street Station, Lower Afton Road Station, Newport Station, Cottage Grove Station, and the Milwaukee Road Hastings Depot.

Gateway Corridor

The Gateway Corridor runs 90 miles from downtown Saint Paul to Eau Claire, Wisconsin, generally running parallel to Interstate 94 (I-94). Studies are under way, led by the Gateway Corridor Commission, evaluating light rail, bus rapid transit and commuter rail service.^[2][3]

The LRT and BRT options would run along or parallel to I-94, with potential stops in Saint Paul, Maplewood, Landfall, Oakdale, Woodbury, and Hudson, Wisconsin. Potential commuter rail stops along the corridor include: Minneapolis, Saint Paul, Oakdale and Lake Elmo in Minnesota and Hudson, Baldwin, Menomonie and Eau Claire in Wisconsin.^[4]

Rush Line

Main article: Rush Line Corridor

The Rush Line is a proposed mass transit link from downtown Saint Paul to Hinckley via White Bear Lake, Forest Lake and Pine City. Commuter rail, bus rapid transit, light rail transit and express bus options are under consideration for parts of the 80-mile corridor. If it becomes a full-length rail line, it could connect to the Northern Lights Express in Hinckley or continue directly to Duluth.

This rail corridor has historically been known as the "Skally Line". A portion of it is still operated by the St. Croix Valley Railroad, but much has been abandoned.

Bethel

The Bethel Corridor is a proposed commuter rail line along BNSF tracks between Bethel, Minnesota and downtown Minneapolis. This would follow part of the route of the proposed Northern Lights Express to Duluth, but would stop at more stations. It is unknown at this point in time if the line will continue with study process.

Norwood/Young America

The Norwood Corridor is a proposed rail line between Minnetonka and downtown Minneapolis, using existing Twin Cities & Western trackage. It is unknown if the line will go beyond the study process.

Proposed regional services

These services will run distances of more than 50 miles (80 km) and would have the potential to run at speeds higher than the common limit of 79 mph. They will likely have fewer stops than the routes outlined above. Several routes were outlined in the 2009 Minnesota Comprehensive Statewide Freight and Passenger Rail Plan. The plan had two phases defined: Phase I for projects intended for completion before 2030, and Phase II for projects beyond that date.^[5]

Northern Lights Express

Main article: Northern Lights Express

The Northern Lights Express is a proposed line to Superior, Wisconsin and Duluth, Minnesota. About halfway along the line is Hinckley, Minnesota which is expected to be a big draw from both ends of the line due to the presence of a major casino. This could be considered inter-city rail due to a limited number of stops. It is planned to run at up to 110 miles per hour (177 km/h).

Rochester

Main article: Rochester Rail Link

A proposal to connect the southeastern city of Rochester would require building new rails, as no direct route exists to the Twin Cities. It will likely be built with initial top speeds of 110 mph (177 km/h), however, "Any new construction should not preclude 150 mph (241 km/h) service implementation at a later date." In 2009, it was identified as a Phase I corridor for implementation before 2030.^[5] The Rochester route is also being considered as an alternative for high-speed rail to Chicago, Illinois since it could provide more riders and higher speed than the current Mississippi River route taken by the Amtrak Empire Builder.

Eau Claire

Along with the Northern Lights Express and the Rochester link, a line eastward to Eau Claire, Wisconsin was identified in 2009 as a Phase I corridor for implementation before 2030. It would use "enhanced conventional" service of 79 to 90 mph (127 to 140 km/h) and would likely make use of existing rails owned by the Union Pacific Railroad (ex-Omaha Road/Chicago and North Western).^[5] This could become Eau Claire's first train service since the Twin Cities 400 ended service in 1963. In August 2010, it was designated as the "Gateway Corridor" and an alternatives analysis study was begun.^[6]

Mankato

The Minnesota Valley Line running southwest to Mankato, Minnesota was also identified as a Phase I corridor with "enhanced conventional" 79 to 90 mph speeds in 2009.^[5]

Fargo–Moorhead

Expanded service to the Fargo–Moorhead area on the North Dakota–Minnesota border is also planned for Phase I. The Amtrak Empire Builder currently has service along this route, but it is inconveniently timed for passengers in Fargo since it's typically scheduled for between 2 and 4 AM. A few more trains per day could be added relatively easily because stations already exist. However, this is also used as BNSF Railway's busy northern transcontinental line, which is expected to need significant upgrades in order to handle increased freight traffic in the coming years.^[5]

Phase II corridors

Conventional-speed trains running up to 79 mph are also planned beyond 2030 for

• The Little Crow Line from the Twin Cities to westward to Willmar, Minnesota and Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
• Expanding from the Minnesota Valley Line in Mankato through Worthington, Minnesota and beyond toward Sioux City, Iowa
• A line from the Twin Cities southward to Albert Lea, Minnesota, through Iowa to Kansas City.
• And an extension northward from Fargo/Moorhead to Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.^[5]

See also

• Canceled transitway projects in Minneapolis-St. Paul

References

1. ^ Kevin Giles (February 9, 2010). "Red Rock train on track for '18 in southeast metro". Star Tribune. http://www.startribune.com/local/east/83981317.html. Retrieved 2010-02-10. 
2. ^ Kevin Giles (LFebruary 16, 2011). "I-94 transit proposals narrowed to seven". Star Tribune. http://www.startribune.com/local/east/116368204.html. Retrieved 2011-07-15. 
3. ^ Kevin Giles (LFebruary 16, 2011). "County opts to expand I-94 transit study". Star Tribune. http://www.startribune.com/local/east/123946529.html. Retrieved 2011-07-15. 
4. ^ "Gateway Corridor Alternatives Analysis Study". http://thegatewaycorridor.com/html/transit-study-gateway-corridor.php. Retrieved 2011-07-15. 
5. ^ ^{a b c d e f} "Minnesota Comprehensive Statewide Freight and Passenger Rail Plan (Draft Final Report)". Cambridge Systematics. December 2009. http://www.dot.state.mn.us/planning/railplan/files/DraftSRPFinalReport.pdf. Retrieved January 6, 2009. 
6. ^ "Alternatives Analysis Study (AA)". Gateway Corridor Commission. 2010. http://www.thegatewaycorridor.com/html/transit-study-gateway-corridor.php. Retrieved August 27, 2010. 

External links

• Metro Council news item on mass transit
• Rush Line Corridor Study Site
• Red Rock Commuter Rail Line
• MNDOT Info Page on Red Rock Corridor
• MNDOT Info Page on Rush Line Corridor
• MNDOT Commuter Rail System Map
• Commuter Rail System Plan