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April 11, 2009

Cities eyeing rail plan

High-speed trains among popular debates

By Mark Fischenich

A group of transportation experts and legislators have found themselves in the middle of an unanticipated — and relatively hot — debate between some southeastern Minnesota cities.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation’s State Rail Plan Policy Committee is assigned to help develop a comprehensive blueprint for the state’s investment in passenger and freight infrastructure.

While the task seems innocuous enough, officials from Rochester, Winona and other cities in that corner of the state are watching closely to see if the rail plan gives preference to one route or another for high-speed train service between the Twin Cities and Chicago.

Early planning had the high-speed trains running along the current Amtrak route that follows the Mississippi River Valley from St. Paul to Winona before crossing into Wisconsin. Rochester officials, now supported by the Austin City Council, want the state to consider a new route that includes Minnesota’s third-largest city.

State Rep. Terry Morrow of St. Peter, one of the three lawmakers in the rail planning group, said various sides are making their opinions known.

“I’ve had a good deal of feedback and conversation,” said Morrow, who is uncertain how specific the rail plan will be in suggesting routes for passenger rail. “... My guess is they’ll probably offer suggestions.”

Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty weighed in a week ago, directing MnDOT to consider all options in developing the rail plan. In a statement, the Republican governor said he’d discussed at length with Democratic Congressman Tim Walz the need to study all potential rail corridors based on “a data-driven process.”

The same statement had Walz applauding the governor’s directive and echoing the need for a “data-driven process.”

In addition to the competition between Rochester and Winona, that line and another running from the Twin Cities and Duluth may end up competing for the same federal funds. Advocates of both projects are eyeing $8 billion in federal economic stimulus funding aimed at new high-speed rail projects.

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