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Calling all Red Rock supporters!

Friday, February 5th, 2010

High-speed rail along the Mississippi River will also help advance the Red Rock commuter tail corridor.

Join OnBoard Midwest on Monday, February 8  to encourage legislators to support proposals that would fund planning and construction work for this important transit corridor.  There are more details below.  Together we have a chance to improve transit and encourage more economic opportunities throughout our region.

Red Rock Corridor Seeks Legislative Support

for Commuter, High-Speed Rail

Proposed second commuter rail line in Twin Cities looks to build

on Northstar’s success and plan for high-speed rail

What:

Local government officials, community members and local business leaders seek bonding and general fund appropriations to start planning and construction for Red Rock commuter rail and high-speed rail connecting St. Paul to Chicago. Funding for the Red Rock Corridor is a three-for-one investment in commuter, high-speed and freight rail.

Who:

Senator Katie Sieben, (DFL – Newport)

Representative Alice Hausman, (DFL – St. Paul)

Representative Karla Bigham, (DFL – Cottage Grove)

Representative Dennis McNamara, (R – Hastings)

Commissioner Myra Peterson, Washington County

Commissioner Jim McDonough, Ramsey County

Mayor Chris Coleman, St. Paul

Local business and community members

When:

Monday, February 8, 2010 9:00 a.m.

Where: State Office Building, Room 181
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Saint Paul, MN 55155-1299


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Media coverage of the MnDOT State Rail Plan

Monday, January 4th, 2010

The Minnesota Department of Transportation last week released its draft State Rail Plan. The proposed high-speed rail route along the Mississippi River is included as a key project in the plan.

This is a key milestone in Minnesota’s effort to create a high-speed rail connection between St. Paul and Chicago. Here is some of the media coverage of the plan.

WINONA POST- High Speed River Route priority in state rail plan
The “River Route” connecting high speed rail through Winona and to Chicago and the Twin Cities is still on the table, after the Minnesota Department of Transportation released its draft State Rail Plan on Thursday

PIERCE COUNTY HERALD - Minnesota supports high-speed rail line
Minnesota goes on the record in support of a high-speed rail line between the Twin Cities and Chicago. That project is expected to cost more than a billion dollars.

CHICAGO TRIBUNE - Minn. endorses high-speed rail to Chicago
Minnesota transportation officials are going on the record in support of a high-speed rail line between the Twin Cities and Chicago.

WEAU-TV EAU CLAIRE - Minnesota transportation workers going on record in support of high-speed rail line.
Minnesota transportation workers are going on the record in support of a high-speed rail line between the Twin Cities and Chicago.

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New Video - Connecting cities along the Mississipp River Route

Monday, December 7th, 2009

High-speed rail is about more than just creating new ways to travel. This project has the potential to strengthen the connection between cities and communities. Watch this video to learn more about how cities like Lake City, St. Charles, and Wabasha understand this opportunity. They support OnBoard Midwest and high-speed rail along the Mississippi because of what this can mean to our region.

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Federal Transit Administration Administrator tours Union Depot

Friday, November 13th, 2009

On November 13, Peter Rogoff, administrator of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), joined a growing list of transit advocates who have toured Union Depot to learn more about plans to transform the historic landmark into a multi-modal transit hub.

L-R Metropolitan Council Chair Peter Bell, Federal Transit Administration Administrator Peter Rogoff, Commissioner Jim McDonough, Chair, Ramsey Council Regional Rail Authority, Marisol Simon, Regional Administrator for Region 5, Matthew Welbes, Executive Director, Federal Transit Administration at Union Depot

L-R Metropolitan Council Chair Peter Bell, Federal Transit Administration Administrator Peter Rogoff, Commissioner Jim McDonough, Chair, Ramsey Council Regional Rail Authority, Marisol Simon, Regional Administrator for Region 5, Matthew Welbes, Executive Director, Federal Transit Administration at Union Depot

Commissioner Jim McDonough, chair of the Ramsey County Regional Rail Authority, gave Rogoff, Region 5 FTA Administrator Marisol Simon, and FTA Executive Director Matthew Welbes a tour of the facility. Metropolitan Council Chair Peter Bell and City of St. Paul officials were also on hand for the tour.

FTA staff and leadership join other transit supporters to tour the concourse at Union Depot.

FTA staff and leadership join other transit supporters to tour the concourse at Union Depot.

The FTA provides stewardship of combined formula and discretionary programs totaling more than $10B to support a variety of locally planned, constructed and operated public transportation systems throughout the United States. Transportation systems typically include buses, subways, light rail, commuter rail, streetcars, monorail, passenger ferry boats, inclined railways, or people movers.

The Ramsey County Regional Rail Authority is working closely with the Minnesota Department of Transportation on efforts to make the Depot a key part of the forthcoming Minnesota Comprehensive Statewide Rail Plan.

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Welcoming New On Board Midwest Supporters

Tuesday, November 10th, 2009

As we work together to support MnDOT’s plan and other effort to bring new transit opportunities to our region, On Board Midwest’s coalition continues to grow. We would like to introduce you to our two newest members.

Falconer Vineyards

John Falconer opened his vineyard in Red Wing on Memorial Day in 2004. He now has about 3,600 vines on six acres. He sells wine and well as winter-hardy plants to aspiring winemakers. Volunteers help harvest the grapes in the fall and the vineyard continues to win recognition for its different wines

Falconer Chardonnay

John and his company support OnBoard Midwest and improved rail service because of rail’s connection to the area’s history and the impact it will have on the economy.

“Trains have always been a big part of Red Wing, going all the way back in history,” he said. “We do get a lot of visitors from throughout the United States. Better passenger rail service would be a boon to the tourism economy of Minnesota.”

Click here to learn more about Falconer Vineyards.

Welch Village

Welch Village is a ski area that is along the Cannon River just south and east of Hastings. The resort is in the town of Welch. It offers two base facilities and 50 runs, making it one of the largest winter resorts in Southern Minnesota.

Leigh Nelson

Leigh Nelson founded the business in 1965 and supports OnBoard Midwest. He has 10 year-round employees but as many as 400 seasonally when the resort is in full operation. He understands the need to create stronger connections to make the region stronger.

wvil-leaves1

“Right now we have about 130,000 visits to Welch Village on an annual basis,” Nelson said. “With expanded rail service we could well see that exceed 150,000 or 170,000 visitors. I get chills up and down my spine when I think of the potential.”

Click here to learn more about Welch Village.

Join us

On Board Midwest is a way to get involved and make a difference.

Click here to join us.

Be part of a coalition that is working together to reach to support a new high-speed rail connection between Saint Paul and Chicago. Together we can help improve passenger and freight transportation in the region and invest billions of dollars in Minnesota’s future.

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