Minnesota's State Rail Plan Moves Forward; A Series Of Informational Meetings Gather Public Opinion

Another round of public meetings are scheduled to happen regarding the 2015 update of the Minnesota State Rail Plan. The Minnesota Department of Transportation has scheduled this second round to allow the general public the opportunity to make their comments and input known to officials that are in the planning phase.

The Minnesota State Rail Plan covers the state’s freight and passenger rail system. It provides guidance and priorities for state transportation decisions to ensure that efficient, competitive services are available to rail customers and to enhance freight access to local and global markets. The plan aligns with other MNDOT planning documents, including Minnesota GO, the Statewide Multimodal Transportation Plan, and the Minnesota State Highway Investment Plan, to provide a framework for effective use of the state’s and the region’s freight and passenger rail network and its future development.

The meetings are scheduled at various locations throughout the state. Here are the details about upcoming meetings:

February 2 - Noon to 2 PM, Minnesota Department of Transportation, G13, 395 John Ireland Blvd., St. Paul (follows the Passenger Rail Forum from 10 a.m. to noon)
February 2 - 5 to 7 PM, Carlton College, Weitz Center for Creativity, Larson Room, College and 3rd St. East, Northfield
February 3 - 5 to 7 PM, Duluth Union Depot, Great Hall, 506 W. Michigan St., Duluth
February 5 - 5 to 7 PM, Chippewa Valley Technical College, Business Education Center, 620 W. Clairemont Ave, Casper Conference Center, Room 103A, Eau Claire, WI
February 10 - 3 to 4:30 PM Minnesota Department of Transportation, Room G13-14, 395 John Ireland Blvd, St. Paul (formal public hearing; testimony only)

A draft of the plan is available by clicking here. If you are unable to make one of the scheduled meetings, you're also invited to make comments at the following website: http://www.dot.state.mn.us/ofrw/freight/railplan.html.