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.

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.

“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

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

“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.

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

After the announcement, media coverage of high-speed rail picked up speed. Here are a few of the items we found most interesting.

Planning for high-speed rail

It’s clear the Obama administration is committed to funding high-speed rail. In return, federal leaders demand coordination and vision from each region. Last year Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood sent strong messages to the entire country about the importance of planning before the federal government decided which regions would receive funding.

Nevertheless, some states in the South, including Georgia, are reeling over the lack of funding they received. When a reporter from the Atlanta Journal Constitution asked LaHood why Georgia only received $750,000, he commented, “Unless a state has its act together, with money and a plan that connects things, you’re not going to get money.”

MnDOT’s statewide rail plan and its focused vision for the future were crucial to securing federal funding. However, we only received money to continue planning. Wisconsin, on the other hand, invested more time and money to develop a plan that will impact more than just one project. The result was funding to build the projects.

Recognizing the economic impact of rail

According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Wisconsinites are jumping for joy over the Obama administration’s decision to allocate $823 million to the state for high-speed rail. That’s because state, local and business leaders realize the exciting economic future that is ahead of them.

Rail is encouraging for businesses and developers because the route and stops are fixed, and they know there will be a market for their shops and developments. Growth will occur near those stops.

Keep building support

We need to keep working together to build more support for the Mississippi River Route. Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle commented earlier this week that Minnesota could be a major factor in deciding whether the high-speed route between Chicago and Saint Paul goes through La Crosse or Eau Claire. From an economic standpoint, Doyle supports the River Route, which would require trains to go through La Crosse.

To read more of Doyle’s comments, click here.

Connecting cities

High-speed rail is about more than just creating one new way to move people from place to place. It creates opportunities to connect cities and people to existing transportation opportunities – and makes communities stronger as a result. The Tomah Journal recently published an editorial imagining a future in which citizens of Tomah, Wisconsin, no longer had to take several connecting flights to get to their final destinations. Instead, they could take the high-speed train all the way to Chicago and hop on a direct flight to their final destination. With high-speed rail, travelers will save both time and money.

Click here to read the editorial.

The Obama Administration announced today that planning work related to high-speed rail upgrades to the Mississippi River Route will receive federal funding in the first round of investments from the America’s Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The White House approved a total $823 million for the high-speed rail line from Chicago to Saint Paul, including a $1 million grant to help transportation officials in Minnesota and Wisconsin study the feasibility of extending a high-speed rail line between Madison and Saint Paul.

Of the $8 billion being allocated, the Midwest region received approximately $2.6 billion in federal grants, second only to the West region.  Nine projects in the Midwest were selected, including a planning study to explore the extension of high-speed rail service to the Twin Cities from Chicago.  The grants included projects in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Michigan.

The decision by the Federal government to fund projects in the region follows years of work by planners to identify key routes and projects across the entire region.  The first round of projects will help create stronger connections between key cities in the Midwest while also creating new incentives for leaders to continue to work on projects that could be part of the next round of funding.

For more information, read

• our news release.
• the White House’s information on the Saint Paul to Chicago route.
• the complete list of corridors that received federal grants.
  

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood visited Minnesota yesterday to talk about light-rail transit along the Central Corridor. Several elected officials, including LaHood, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar, U.S. Representatives Jim Oberstar and Keith Ellison, Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak, and Saint Paul Mayor Chris Coleman, announced that three more stops along University Avenue would be added to the plan.

LaHood praised the coordinated effort put forth by a coalition of chambers of commerce, district councils, businesses, and residents to make the Central Corridor possible. Building support and momentum for transportation initiatives through a coalition – like what On Board Midwest is doing for high-speed rail along the Mississippi River Route – is a strategy that should be used around the country, said LaHood.

The final stop of the Central Corridor will be at the Union Depot. This light-rail line will give people coming to the Union Depot via Red Rock, Amtrak, or high-speed rail other transit options once reaching Saint Paul. It’s one more example of how a regional transit system benefits the entire community.

This marks the second time in recent months that LaHood has visited Minnesota to talk about transit projects. His interest in the state’s investments in transportation shows how important these projects are for the entire country and the growing momentum for rail in our region.

St. Paul, Minn. — It’s been nearly 40 years since passengers got on or off a train at St. Paul’s Union Depot. But soon, the historic train station could become a major transit hub once again.

The Ramsey County Regional Rail Authority is expecting to assume ownership of the Union Depot’s concourse this week.

Once it does, the Rail Authority plans to begin renovating the 86-year-old structure, so it can serve a number of different transit lines, including light rail and even high-speed rail to Chicago.

A tour of the St. Paul’s Union Depot | Minnesota Public Radio NewsQ.