High-speed rail along the Mississippi River Route will benefit the state of Minnesota. Not only will it will provide a fast and convenient connection between the Twin Cities and Chicago, the two largest metropolitan areas in the Upper Midwest, plans also call for improvements to rail safety and grade crossing along the route which benefit automobile and freight users. It will also improve the corridor’s capacity for freight rail operations, helping Minnesota commodities reach their destinations faster and opening up all of Minnesota for more economic development through increased regional connectivity.

High-speed rail will add six round trips between the Union Depot in Saint Paul and Union Station in Chicago and reduce the travel time between the two cities to 5.5 hours. Additionally, shared track arrangements with freight railroads will increase in rail capacity by 80% allowing for improved freight operations and the introduction of high-speed and commuter rail services, a three-for-one benefit.

High-speed rail will directly create 15,000 construction jobs and 57,000 permanent jobs in the Midwest. Minnesota alone will benefit from the creation of 1,600 permanent jobs and $2.3 billion in economic impact. These economic benefits will help increase commerce opportunities and encourage businesses to expand their operations more widely across the region.

To ensure Minnesota receives the economic, mobility and safety benefits of high-speed rail, local elected officials from Saint Paul to La Crescent have come together to form the Minnesota High-Speed Rail Commission (MHSRC). The commission is a strong proponent of and advocate for the development of Minnesota’s first high-speed rail line along the Mississippi River.

“High-speed rail will benefit communities along the river as well as those connected to them,” said Winona Mayor Jerry Miller, who is chair of the MHSRC. “The River Route is just the first route of a larger rail vision endorsed by the commission and the Minnesota Department of Transportation that will connect the entire state with high-speed and passenger rail lines,” said Miller.

The River Route is just one part of a 3,000 mile network of high-speed rail corridors throughout the Midwest. The federal government has made high-speed rail a priority by awarding the corridor an $823 million grant for construction efforts from Madison to Chicago and planning efforts from the Twin Cities to Madison.

“Minnesota’s rail vision is larger than just the commission and that is why we are focused on working with our partners at the state, local, and national level to make high-speed rail along the River Route and throughout Minnesota a reality,” said Miller.

After 15 years of planning, the dream of high-speed rail in Minnesota is closer to being a reality. The MHSRC will continue to play an important role throughout our region. On Board Midwest is proud to be a partner with the MHSRC on this effort.

The commission and other supporters of high-speed rail will be celebrating National Train Day this Saturday, May 8, at Amtrak’s Midway Station and the Minnesota State Fair Grounds.

MHSRC members include:
• City of Cottage Grove
• City of Goodview
• City of Hastings
• City of Lake City
• City of Red Wing
• City of Saint Charles
• City of Saint Paul
• City of Saint Paul Park
• City of Utica
• City of Wabasha
• City of Winona
• Dakota County Regional Railroad Authority
• Goodhue County Regional Railroad
• LaCrosse Area Planning Committee
• Prairie Island Indian Community
• Ramsey County Regional Railroad Authority
• Wabasha County Regional Railroad Authority
• Washington County Regional Railroad Authority
• Winona County Regional Railroad Authority