Today a coalition of elected officials and supporters, led by the Washington County Rail Authority, gathered at the Capitol in a bipartisan effort to support the Red Rock Corridor, a proposed commuter rail corridor from Saint Paul to Hastings.

“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.