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Supporting the proposed high-speed rail line project connecting Saint Paul to Chicago.
Minnesota and Wisconsin to discuss regional high-speed rail cooperation
March 10th, 2010Minnesota and Wisconsin transportation commissioners, Tom Sorel and Frank Busalacchi, will meet March 18 in La Crosse to share information with other transit supporters about the project and how the two states are working together. The sold-out public meeting is the first time the two have met publicly to discuss the regional plan.
The commissioners, along with representatives from the Minnesota High-Speed Rail Commission, the Empire Builder High-Speed Rail Coalition, and On Board Midwest, will talk about several of the proposed routes through Wisconsin, including routes through Eau Claire and La Crosse. On Board Midwest strongly supports the Mississippi River Route, which would go through La Crosse. The River Route also allows for improvements to freight, commuter, and Amtrak services, which would be better for the region as a whole.
One of the proposed high-speed rail routes from Chicago to Saint Paul would run through La Crosse to Saint Paul along the Mississippi River.
Next week’s meeting is another key milestone for bringing high-speed rail to Saint Paul along the Mississippi River Route. Several hundred supporters are already planning to attend the meeting and a growing overflow crowd will watch the meeting via video link.
This meeting is a good reminder that this high-speed rail plan is bigger than Minnesota. The cooperation between officials and businesses on both sides of the river will help us move the project forward.
Stay tuned to On Board Midwest for more information about this meeting. In the meantime, click here to read an article about the meeting published in the La Crosse Tribune.
Union Depot’s Hollywood Debut
March 2nd, 2010The Union Depot has been in the media spotlight recently for the progress being made to restore the landmark and the federal support for the proposed high-speed rail line.
But now our transportation landmark is basking in the bright lights of Hollywood. Filming began yesterday at the Union Depot on the new crime drama movie, The Convincer. The movie, which stars Greg Kinnear, Alan Arkin, and Billy Crudup, is about a salesman’s search for a rare violin.
The Union Depot was bustling with activity all day with extras filming a scene at the train station. The scene was a perfect way to envision what the Union Depot will look like after the renovations are complete.
Passengers mill about the Union Depot while filming a scene for the Convincer.
Union Depot Awarded $35 Million Federal Grant
February 17th, 2010Congresswoman Betty McCollum announced today that the Union Depot has been awarded a $35 million Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) Discretionary Grant.
“We are a huge step closer to making Union Depot a multi-modal transportation hub. We have the right vision and plan for our region, and today we have another investment to move things forward. Today we are celebrating the Obama administration’s commitment to help support and pay for this vision,” said McCollum.
The TIGER grants, which were funded by $1.5 billion from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, were awarded to 51 projects across the country that will have a significant impact on the nation, a region, or a metropolitan area; create jobs; and benefit economically distressed areas. The federal government also gave priority to projects that are construction-ready, that will quickly create and preserve jobs, and that will stimulate rapid increases in economic activity.
“We are closer to making it possible to put thousands of skilled workers back on the job. Trade and labor are proud to stand with business and government to make projects like this happen,” said Harry Melander, president of Minnesota Building and Construction Trades Council.
The Union Depot renovations, which were included in the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s comprehensive statewide rail plan, are supported by a strong partnership between the public and private sectors.
“This federal funding is a testament to the strength of our regional collaboration. The hard work of city, county, state, and federal elected officials; our congressional delegation; and the Obama administration has helped turn this idea into a reality,” said Saint Paul Mayor Chris Coleman.
“Years ago, Ramsey County understood what the Depot meant to our history when we worked hard to protect it. Now we can all see how important it will be to our future,” said Ramsey County Commissioner Jim McDonough, chair of the Ramsey County Regional Rail Authority. “Today the vision is taking shape, and this grant award is another big step forward for us all. Union Depot clearly has new momentum and critically important support from the United States Department of Transportation.”
The Union Depot renovation project will create hundreds of jobs and will help revitalize economic development in Saint Paul and the entire region.
“The Union Depot project will inspire others to look to Saint Paul as a place they want to visit, live, or bring jobs. My job is to help people understand why this city is a special place, and today’s news makes my job easier,” said Coleman.
Saint Paul’s historic Union Depot was once a bustling hub for the region’s rail traffic. The renovations will transform the train station into a multi-modal transportation hub with facilities for Amtrak, commuter, high-speed, and light-rail transit.
“The Union Depot is more than just a single project for Minnesota. It is part of an entire system that will bring together new ways for people to move from place to place,” said State Representative Alice Hausman. “Minnesota now has a clear vision and a plan for rail transit in our future. The challenge now is to do the work to bring the plan to life. Today is a big step in that direction. The county, the state, and the federal government are invested and committed to making this happen.”
“James J. Hill many years ago understood the importance of this spot as a place to move goods from barges to trains to connect with the rest of the country. The result was a thriving community with a dynamic economy. Today we are taking another step forward to learn from our history as we shape our future,” said Susan Kimberly, interim director of the Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce.
Click here to view the full list of projects receiving TIGER grants.
For more information, view the following media coverage:
- Star Tribune
- Pioneer Press
- MinnPost
- Minneapolis-Saint Paul Business Journal
- HometownSource
- Minnesota Public Radio
- KARE
- KSTP
Another milestone for our regional transit vision – MnDOT adopts the statewide rail plan
February 10th, 2010On Board Midwest learned today that MnDOT Commissioner Tom Sorel has officially adopted the Minnesota Comprehensive Statewide Freight and Passenger Rail Plan Final Report. This is another key step forward in our collective efforts to bring new rail investment to our region.
Upgrading tracks along the Mississippi River to create a high-speed rail connection along between Chicago and Saint Paul and restoring Union Depot are key parts of the plan. On Board Midwest congratulates Commissioner Sorel, MnDOT and everyone who came together to help make this plan happen. Minnesota has a clear vision for future rail transit in our region, and we will make sure we make the most of this important opportunity to bring new investment and economic opportunity to Minnesota.
Click here to read our news release about the plan. Click here to view a video about the plan.
Here is a message from Dave Christianson, project manager for MnDOT’s statewide rail plan.
I am pleased to announce that the Commissioner of Transportation has adopted the Minnesota Comprehensive Statewide Freight and Passenger Rail Plan Final Report. The plan was developed after extensive interaction with the public and transportation stakeholders, and I would like to thank everyone for their participation in the process. The plan is available here.
Thank you,
Dave Christianson
Project Manager
Red Rock Supporters Seek Transit Funding at the Capitol
February 8th, 2010Today a coalition of elected officials and supporters, led by the Washington County Rail Authority, gathered at the Capitol in a bipartisan effort to support the Red Rock Corridor, a proposed commuter rail corridor from Saint Paul to Hastings.
“We have the chance to reinvent a system that was created 50 years ago,” said State Representative Dennis McNamara from Hastings. “It was new when I was a child. It’s time for us to take advantage of this opportunity and bring new transit investment to this corridor.”
The group asked the Minnesota Legislature to approve bonding appropriations and general funding that are needed to continue planning and building infrastructure. They are seeking $1 million for park and ride facilities in Hastings and a commuter bus along the Red Rock route that will help mitigate congestion during construction efforts.
Funding for the Red Rock Corridor would be a three-for-one investment – as a commuter-rail line, a part of a higher-speed freight line, and a section of the planned high-speed Mississippi River Route. Minnesota would see increased freight shipping, reductions in commuting time, and access to the national high-speed rail network.
They are also asking for $13.5 million to improve the Hoffman Interlocking/Hoffman Yard in Saint Paul and $8.7 million to continue renovating the Union Depot in Saint Paul.
Currently, Hoffman Yard handles 5% of the existing freight transit in the United States and is almost at capacity. This pressure-point is a vital freight link to the rest of the region that must be relieved to expand shipping capabilities and provide additional track space for commuter and high-speed rail.
“Great regions have great transportation systems,” said Saint Paul Mayor Chris Coleman. “Growing regions have growing transportation systems that allow employers to move their goods quickly and to give employees more choice in how they get to work. Red Rock is part of a regional vision that will help us keep, grow and attract new jobs.”
On Board Midwest is pleased to see elected officials step forward and take the lead on an important issue such as the Red Rock Corridor and Hoffman Yard. Funding for these projects would make the future of high-speed rail from Saint Paul to Chicago even more of a reality.
“Red Rock and this entire corridor is the next great transit opportunity for Minnesota commuters,” said Ramsey County Commissioner Jim McDonough, chair of the Ramsey County Regional Railroad Authority. “We have support at all levels of government from the community to the White House. The community supports the vision and together we will not miss this once-in-a-lifetime chance.”
To learn more about the Red Rock Corridor, visit the coalition’s Web site or read articles from the Pioneer Press or Star Tribune.
Note: Long-time rail and transit advocate Commissioner Myra Peterson from Washington County was unable to attend today due to a death in the family. From all of us here at On Board Midwest, we offer our condolences. Myra is a true high-speed rail supporter, and she is in our thoughts.
