Commuter rail projects in Minnesota

There are currently several proposals for Commuter Rail in Minnesota.

Northstar

The Northstar Corridor is a state and federally fundedcommuter rail line that will serve a region which runs to the northwest from Minneapolis, Minnesota toward St. Cloud, Minnesota.

Red Rock

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 Trunk Highway 61 (TH 61) and Interstate 94 (I-94) including the Burlington Northern Santa Fe and Canadian Pacific rail lines.

Cities along the Corridor include: Hastings, Denmark Township, Cottage Grove, St. Paul Park, Newport, St. Paul, and Minneapolis.

Potential stations along the line include: Downtown Minneapolis (at the new Minneapolis Multi-Modal Station), University of Minnesota Station, Snelling Avenue Station, Rice Street Station, St. Paul Union Depot, Lower Afton Road Station, Newport Station, Cottage Grove Station, and Hastings Station.

Rush Line

The Rush Line is a proposed mass transit link from downtown Saint Paul to Hinckley via White Bear Lake, Forest Lake and Pine City. The 80-mile route will likely be commuter rail but bus rapid transit is also under consideration.

Bethel

The Bethel Corridor is a proposed Commuter Rail Line between Blaine, Minnesota & Downtown Minneapolis. Another proposal on the corridor is to introduce passenger service to Duluth. 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, Minnesota & Downtown Minneapolis, using existing Twin Cities & Western trackage. It is unknown if the line will go beyond the study process.

External links

* [http://www.metrocouncil.org/directions/transit/transit2004/transitways.htm Metro Council news item on mass transit]
* [http://www.rushlinecorridor.com/ Rush Line Corridor Study Site]
* [http://www.redrockrail.org/ Red Rock Commuter Rail Line]
* [http://www.dot.state.mn.us/passengerrail/onepagers/redrock.html MNDOT Info Page on Red Rock Corridor]
* [http://www.dot.state.mn.us/passengerrail/onepagers/rushline.html MNDOT Info Page on Rush Line Corridor]
* [http://www.dot.state.mn.us/passengerrail/commutermap.html MNDOT Commuter Rail System Map]

References