River route is preferred for high-speed train

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The Federal Railroad Administration says a route running along the Mississippi River is the most feasible and reasonable for a proposed high-speed commuter train between the Twin Cities and Chicago.

Federal officials and the Minnesota Department of Transportation say other route possibilities are no longer an option. MnDOT rail director Dan Krom told the St. Paul Pioneer Press the state can now focus its efforts on the river route. It follows an existing Amtrak line through Hastings and Winona and would connect St. Paul’s Union Depot with Milwaukee and downtown Chicago.

GO TO THE DAILY REPORTER’S
HIGH-SPEED RAIL PROJECT PROFILE PAGE

The decision has disappointed local officials in Eau Claire, Wis., Rochester, Minn., and other communities that hoped to be located along the train’s route. MnDOT will begin work on an environmental impact statement.

Information from: St. Paul Pioneer Press, http://www.twincities.com

More on high-speed rail

• Amtrak announces interest in Minnesota-Wisconsin rail line
• 2nd rail line through Wisconsin gaining steam 
• Twin Cities-Chicago high-speed rail gets funding boost 
• State to pay $9.75M in settlement over rail project (UPDATE)
• Missed connections: Lack of transit options hurting Milwaukee 
• Officials mull transit options to connect public with jobs 
• Claims Board derails railroad’s push for compensation (UPDATE) 
• Attorney makes case for high-speed rail compensation (UPDATE)
• Canadian Pacific taking high-speed rail claim to state (UPDATE) 
• View from around the state: Train talk worth pursuing