HomeMy WebLinkAbout2.a. Inter City Rail Initiative
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
City Council Work Session: January 7, 2020
AGENDA ITEM: Inter City Rail Initiative Presentation AGENDA SECTION:
Discussion
PREPARED BY: Logan Martin, City Administrator AGENDA NO. 2.a.
ATTACHMENTS: Map of MN’s Rail Network, Map of
Amtrak Rail nationwide APPROVED BY: LJM
RECOMMENDED ACTIONS: Discussion
BACKGROUND
Councilmember Suzie Nakasian of the City of Northfield has been working to establish a coalition of
support to pursue an Inter-City Passenger Rail initiative. Staff has had a brief opportunity to discuss this
opportunity with Ms. Nakasian, and she will be providing an introductory presentation to the Council for
consideration at the work session.
Attached are two maps provided by Councilmember Nakasian, which portrays the nationwide rail network
and the missing links for passenger rail in southern MN.
At this time, there is no formal request being made of the City. Councilmember Nakasian simply wishes to
introduce the idea to Rosemount and to prepare the City for future discussions about the initiative.
RECOMMENDATION
Receive presentation regarding the opportunity and provide staff direction on desired next steps.
University of Minneso ta Inter-City Campus Busway
To St. Peter and Mankato
To Eau Claire
To Faribault, Owatonna, Albert Lea/Austin and inter-state points south incl. Des Moines, Kansas City, OKC,Fort Worth/Dallas, Austin and San Antonio on existing rail line (see revised Amtrak map)
Minneapolis-St. Pa ulInternationalAirport
South Central Minnesota Passenger Rail Corridor: A Phase I Passenger Rail Project in the Revised 2015 Minnesota Statewide Rail Plan âââ
âTo Milwaukee and Chicago
Hudson
Rosemount
Lakeville
Inver Grove Heights
Edina
St. LouisPark
Mendota Heights
St. Paul
Farmington
SavageShakopee
Northfield
Stillwater
Hastings
Oak ParkHeights
Cottage Grove
Bloomington
Minnea polis/Ta rget Fi eldStation
0 63Mi ±1/2/2020
Minnesota Highway
Interstate Highway
Legend
North Star Line: Minnea polis- St . Cloud - Moorehead (Phase I)
So. Cen tral Minnesota Corrido r: Albert Lea- Northfield- Twin Cities (Phase I)
St. Paul- Ea u Clair (West Central WI Rail Coalition)
Amtrak Empire Build er Ch icago Seattle via St. PaulNorthern Ligh ts Express (NLX) St. Pa ul- Duluth (in ad vanced p lann ing)Great River Rail Co rrid or (TCMC) Twin Cities- Milwaukee- Chicago (in advanced Plann ing)
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THE AMTRAK SYSTEM
Amtrak Passenger Rail Network
Amtrak Connecting Thruway Bus Service
South Central Minnesota Rail Corridor: a Phase One
Passenger Rail Corridor in the Minnesota Statewide
Rail Plan (2015); continues due south on existing (UP)
rail line to connect with existing Amtrak service and
cities including Mason City, Des Moines, Kansas City,
Oklahoma City, Dallas/Fort Worth, and San Antonio.
Mankato-Owatonna-Rochester-Winona: a Subsidiary Phase
One Passenger Rail Corridor approved for study with the
South Central MN Corridor; uses existing (formerly DME now CP)
rail line across the southern tier of Minnesota, and connects
with the South Central MN Corridor at Owatonna