Minnesota DOT updates state rail plan

Earlier this week, the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) released an updated state rail plan. 

To develop the updated plan, MnDOT spent months conducting extensive outreach with railroads, local governments, tribes, the public and other key stakeholders. The department’s overall goal: to improve the safety, capacity and reliability of Minnesota's current rail system, which includes more than 4,000 miles of track, MnDOT officials said in a press release. 

“This plan demonstrates how key investments can improve the mobility of goods and people,” said MnDOT Commissioner Nancy Daubenberger. “It serves as a 20-year guide to enhance economic development, provide critical connections for Minnesota residents and businesses, and continue to support the state’s economic competitiveness.” 

The plan advances several key initiatives and details additional funding needs to support freight-rail operations. 

In addition, the document addresses the expansion of passenger rail in new or additional Midwest corridors, such as increased service along Amtrak's Borealis corridor between the Twin Cities, Milwaukee and Chicago, or development of the Northern Lights Express route between Minneapolis and Duluth; and identifies capital improvement projects necessary to enhance reliability and speed or to improve capacity in existing corridors.