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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.
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.
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.
There has been a lot of attention focused on the potential to bring high-speed rail along the Mississippi River. In addition to this new service, the project will also expand existing rail service at a time when public interest in rail keeps growing.
Upgrading tracks for high-speed trains will also allow Amtrak to expand its service to our region. This is a good idea at a time when Amtrak continues to see growing passenger demand and higher ridership.
Recent results show that:
Click here to read the full article. Click here to join us and be part of OnBoard Midwest, a way to make sure our region comes together to bring better Amtrak and new high-speed rail service to our communities.
Minnesota is working in several ways to create a clear vision with a single voice for rail planning. A key part of this is making sure planners are able to receive important feedback on the plan. The MnDOT Policy Advisory Committee has been working with MnDOT planners throughout the process to get and share information as the planning process has moved forward. This group also shares their reaction with MnDOT staff on plan details and how different projects across Minnesota are included.
The full MnDOT’s Police Advisory Committee will meet on Friday, November 13th . This will be the last time the group gets together before MnDOT officially releases its final plan later this year.
Here’s more information on the meeting.
Policy Advisory Committee members and interested parties:
You are invited to attend the fourth Policy Advisory Committee Meeting for the Minnesota Comprehensive Statewide Freight and Passenger Rail Plan on Friday, November 13, 2009, at the Minnesota History Center. Registration opens at 9:00 AM and the meeting will begin at 9:30 AM. For those unable to attend in person, there will be web-conference and tele-conference arrangements available for your convenience. Information on these options will follow when finalized.
For more information about the Minnesota State Rail Plan, please visit the project website here. Your input throughout this process is greatly appreciated. Meeting agenda and web/teleconference details will follow in the days to come.
Sincerely,
Dave Christianson, State Rail Plan Project Manager
OnBoard Midwest will be at the meeting. Check back with us for additional information.
