The White House has announced that it will include funding for a Twin Cities to Chicago route for high-speed passenger rail. This, combined with the Minnesota Department of Transportation's decision to explore several route possibilities for the Minnesota portion of the route is positive news for Southeast Minnesota.
Read the entire release from the Alliance below.
Jan. 27, 2010
Bryan Anderson
507-284-5005 (day)
507-284-2511 (evening)
bryan@semnrail.org
RAIL ALLIANCE APPLAUDS PRESIDENT’S COMMITMENT TO HIGH-SPEED PASSENGER RAIL
Notes “Several Route Alignments” Will Be Included in Planning Process
ROCHESTER, Minn. — The Southeast Minnesota Rail Alliance (Alliance) today issued the following statement in response to President Barack Obama’s plan to spend $8 billion from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) on high-speed rail projects across the nation:
“We applaud President Obama for his commitment to high-speed passenger rail infrastructure. A high-speed passenger line linking Chicago and the Twin Cities is, without doubt, an important piece of the long-term plan. The President wisely included an alternatives analysis in his plan to ensure a data-driven process when determining routing.”
Included in the plan is $810 million to begin work on the Milwaukee and Madison phase of the Midwest High-Speed Rail Corridor. A grant of $600,000 will go toward the Madison to Twin Cities portion of the line to assist with planning. The President’s plan calls for consideration of several route alignments between Madison and the Twin Cities.
The Southeast Minnesota Rail Alliance is committed to a rail infrastructure plan that meets the freight and passenger needs of Southeast Minnesota for generations to come. The Alliance is focused on enhancing the economic vitality, access and safety of the region.
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