The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About6.e. Inter-city Passenger Rail Study � ROS�1v101�1 �I 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY CITY COUNCIL City Council Regular Meeting: December 16, 2014 AGENDA ITEM: Inter-Citypassenger rail study AGENDA SECTION: PREPARED BY: Dwight Johnson, CityAdministrator AGENDA NO. �� e � ATTACHMENTS: Resolution; Map of alignment options APPROVED BY: RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve the attached resolution requesting 1VI�IDOT to include the proposed South Central Inter-City passenger rail study in the updated State Rail Plan with a Tier One priority status. BACKGROUND Two initial meetings have been held in Nonhfield in the last couple of months to deternune if there is regional interest in the restoration of passenger rail service along existing tracks linking Northfield and possibly Faribault, Owatonna, and Albert Lea to Minneapolis and St. Paul using e�sting technology and rail lines. Mayor Droste and I have attended both meetings. Regular service existed in much of this corridor prior to 1970. Two possible routes have been identified between Northfield and the Twin Cities (see attachment). The eastern route would use existing active tracks going through Farmington and Rosemount and proceed to St.Paul's Union Station. MnDOT is currently conducting an update of its 2010 statewide rail plan to complywith federal funding regulations as well as to coordinate with other statewide transportation plans. See http://www.dot.state.mn.us/planning/rail�lan/. Comments are being solicited for the next several weeks. The new plan is expected to be prepared by February 2015. If cities in south central Muinesota and the southern Metro area are interested in re-establishing passenger service, letters or resolutions of support for "Tier 1" status are needed in the ne�few weeks to prompt MnDOT to evaluate the potential usage and financial/technical feasibility. The City Council reviewed this matter at the December 9`h work session and directed that a resolution supporting a study be prepared for adoption at this meeting. RECOMMENDATION With no true interstate highways in or near Rosemount,we have been active during the past several yeais with several studies that might improve transportation options to Rosemount, including the Robert Street Comdor study and the ZIP line study. Any new passenger train service would use existing tracks,would presumably be quieter than current freight trains, and would need to comply with our quiet zone program. New passenger train service could benefit residents and businesses. Accordingly, staff recommends sending the attached resolution to 1VI��DOT requesting a studyfor south central inter-citypassenger rail service and giving it a Tier One priority status. There would be no obligation or cost to Rosemount for the study. CITY OF ROSEMOUNT DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA RESOLUTION 2014- A RESOLUTION REQUESTING MNDOT TO INCLUDE INTER-CITY REGIONAL PASSENGER RAIL SERVICE FROM THE TWIN CITIES TO SOUTH CENTRAL MINNESOTA IN THE 2015 MINNESOTA RAIL PLAN AND GIVE IT TIER ONE STATUS FOR PRIORITY STUDY AND EVALUATION WHEREAS a coalition of communities and other interested parues have met several times to explore interest in Yestoring inter-city passenger rail service between the Twin Cities and south central Minnesota; and, WHEREAS one of the alternative routes being considered would use the existing tracks from Northfield through Rosemount to St. Paul; and, WHEREAS MnDOT is currently updating the State Rail Plan and is seeking input on what should be included in their considerations for future passenger rail service in the State; and, WHEREAS the residents and businesses of the City of Rosemount could benefit from ne�v passenger rail service connecting the City to both the Twin Cities and to South Central Minnesota and otheY inter-state passenger rail service in Iowa and other locations; IT IS RESOLVED by the Rosemount City Council that MnDOT be requested to include inter-city regional passenger rail service fYOm the Twin Cities to South Central Minnesota in its 2015 Minnesota Rail Plan and that it receive Tier One Status for prioriry study and evaluation. ADOPTED this 16th day of December, 2014. William H. Droste, Mayor AT"TEST: Clarissa Hadler, City Clerk �� .��Q ,��ti �� ta�'' �� Q ��v� �r,,. �t�,� �,��c �5 � '��,�,� fi at�`��'p ,o��c ��° 5�� a`��e i�° Qt� �`�� .��"��' l�-��,,`� � tia ��`�t��h 'C�° .�� t��J`� �� a �� { t•,�� 1�� to Ccs Momcs � K�,is�� ity