Southeast Minnesota Rail Alliance

Rep. Walz Includes Southeast Minnesota Rail Projects in Requests

Based on input U.S. Representative Walz received on his appropriations project request for FY2011, he included:

• $5 million to begin study and design of a high-speed passenger rail corridor between Chicago and the Twin Cities
• $2 million for a study and preliminary engineering of a high-speed passenger rail route between Rochester and the Twin Cities
• $2 million to study a proposed freight bypass around Rochester

Mayo Clinic Responsible for $22 Billion in Economic Impact

The Mayo Clinic is responsible for $22 billion in nationwide economic impact -- including $9.6 billlion here in Minnesota -- according to a recent study. The Mayo Clinic continues to be a major employer, source of tax revenue and funder of research and education.

University of Minnesota-Rochester Growth Drives Expansion Efforts

New programs for undergraduates and increased attendance at University of Minnesota-Rochester has the school looking at how it can expand to meet growing demand.

Rail Alliance Applauds President's Committment to High-Speed Passenger Rail

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.

High-Speed Rail Grant Wins Praise from Minnesota Delegation

Minnesota's Congressional Delegation is praising President Obama's announcement regarding high-speed rail and for including funding for a line connecting the Twin Cities and Chicago.

Read the related press release below.

State Rail Plan Includes High-Speed Passenger, Study of Freight Rail for Rochester

Both high-speed passenger and freight-rail opportunities for Rochester and southern Minnesota were included in the statewide rail plan released by the Minnesota Department of Transportation. For more information, read the related articles in the Star Tribune and the Post-Bulletin. You can also read a release from the Southeast Minnesota Rail Alliance regarding the report below.

Statewide Rail Plan to Include Rochester Route

A high-speed passenger rail route through Rochester will be included in the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) statewide rail plan that will be released later this week.

Southeast Minnesota Residents Share Ideas in Effort to "Name The Train"

The Alliance asked. Southeast Minnesota residents responded. The effort to Name the Train has now generated more than 260 suggestions. Keep those names coming! The deadline for submissions is Thursday, Dec. 31.

Rochester High-Speed Passenger Rail a Top Priority for State

A high-speed passenger rail line between the Twin Cities and Rochester is a Phase I project for the state. This according to a technical memorandum published by the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

Alliance Submits Public Comment on Mn/DOT Rail Plan

Principal members of the Southeast Minnesota Rail Alliance submitted public comment to the Minnesota Department of Transportation as part of the statewide rail plan.