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Another milestone for our regional transit vision – MnDOT adopts the statewide rail plan

Wednesday, February 10th, 2010

On 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

Tags: High speed rail, Minnesota Comprehensive Statewide Freight and Passenger Rail Plan Final ReportTom Sorel, MnDOT, On Board Midwest, river route
Posted in General information, High Speed news and information, Partner updates | No Comments »

Gundersen Lutheran Health Systems supports high-speed rail

Friday, January 8th, 2010

Gundersen Lutheran Health System has healthcare facilities in Wisconsin, Iowa and Minnesota. They strongly support the High Speed Rail plans and are excited about the number of ways in which it will benefit their organization and the patients they serve.

They have joined OnBoard Midwest and our coalition to bring high-speed rail to our region. Click here to read their letter of support.

Tags: gundersen healthcare, High speed rail, OnBoard Midwest
Posted in General information, High Speed news and information, Partner updates | No Comments »

Regional Support for High-Speed Rail Along the River Route Grows Stronger

Monday, December 21st, 2009

Earlier this month, OnBoard Midwest hosted a meeting where a group of approximately 40 officials from Winona to St. Paul came together to share information about high-speed rail along the Mississippi corridor.

The outpouring of positive comments from state legislators and local officials from Dakota, Washington, Ramsey, and Goodhue counties shows how strong the support for high speed rail is throughout the entire region.

The meeting gave people a chance to learn more about what is currently happening and share concerns about the status of other projects. Several issues were discussed, opportunities for economic development related to new transit along the river route and a commitment to work with the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) to support the statewide comprehensive rail plan.

As a result of the discussion, everyone felt that they have an even greater understanding of the issues and projects better. Opportunities to come together like this are important because the more we can all understand, the better we can work together to support projects like this.

This meeting is another example of the strength of the support transit investment has from elected officials throughout the region.

OnBoard Midwest knows key groups and official are very supportive of high-speed rail along the river route, but this project is about more than that one route and mode - it is part of a larger vision. Meetings like this help key stakeholders stay focused and better connected to our regional vision of transit, economic development, and jobs.

MnDOT will release its statewide comprehensive rail plan in the coming days. Stay tuned to On Board Midwest for more information about the plan and what it means for transit across the region.

Tags: Chris Coleman, High speed rail, Kathy Saltzman, Lake City, OnBoard Midwest, Prairie Island Tribal Community, State Representative Tim Kelly
Posted in General information, Legislative support, Partner updates | No Comments »

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

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.

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.

Tags: FTA, High speed rail, Jim McDonough, Peter Bell, Peter Rogoff, Union Depot
Posted in Community Outreach, General information, Partner updates | No Comments »

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

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 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.

“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.

Tags: Falconer Vineyards, High speed rail, On Board Midwest, Red Wing, welch village
Posted in Community Outreach, General information, Partner updates | No Comments »

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