Political Party

Backers of river rail route attack Roch rail report

Supporters of a high-speed rail route along the Mississippi River are firing back at Rochester rail supporters.

Last week, Rochester officials gathered at the state Capitol to unveil a new study that makes the case that Rochester should be included on a high-speed rail line from Chicago to the Twin Cities. In particular, the report concludes that the Rochester routes would be much faster than the river route and generate more ridership. (Here's a link to the PB story)

In a news release today, a coalition of river route supporters called On Board Midwest warns that the Southeast Minnesota Rail Alliance's study threatens to derail efforts by the state to get federal funding. They argue that the river route is "shovel ready" and far less costly than the Rochester route.

Winona Mayor Jerry Miller, who chairs the Minnesota High Speed Rail Commission, is quoted in the release as saying: “The Southeast Minnesota Rail Alliance is essentially trying to replace the river route, which has tremendous support and major economic benefits for an entire region, with a route that benefits Rochester."

He goes on to say that "The Rochester plan also includes high-speed passenger service, but no commuter, Amtrak or freight service, while the river route includes all of those.  Minnesotans would pay a high price and wait a long time to get far less than what the river route offers.”

Tomorrow, the Minnesota Department of Transportation is hosting an open house in Rochester to get input on plans to draft a Statewide Freight and Rail Plan. The open house is from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Heintz Center, 1926 Collegeview Dr. S.E. On Thursday, another open house will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Red Wing Main Library at 225 East Avenue.

Rochester high-speed rail backers to hold Capitol press conference

The Southeast Minnesota Rail Alliance has scheduled a press conference at the state Capitol in St. Paul tomorrow at 11:30 a.m. to unveil a new study. According to a news release, the study will provide an "apples-to-apples" comparison of potential high-speed routes between the Twin Cities and Wisconsin.

Alexander Metcalf, president of Transportation Economics & Mangement Systems, Inc., will answer questions about the results of the Tri-State III High-Speed Rail Study. He will be joined by legislative advocates and members of the Southeast Minnesota Rail Alliance, which commissioned the study.

While the news release does not provide any details as to what is in the report, Rochester DFL Sen. Ann Lynch said she believes the results will be a boost for Rochester's efforts to be part of a high-speed rail line.

"I think it is going to show that there is a very strong case for developing a route that encompasses Rochester," Lynch said.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation is currently working to finish a statewide rail plan by the end of the year. Rochester is hoping to be a stop on a potential high-speed rail route from Chicago to the Twin Cities. Meanwhile, members of OnBoard Midwest are pushing for high-speed rail along the Mississippi River where there are existing railroad tracks. That plan calls for the trains to run from La Crosse, Wis. through Winona and Red Wing ending in St. Paul.

Invitation lost in the mail?

State Sen. Sharon Erickson Ropes, DFL-Winona, and Sen. Katie Sieben, DFL-Newport, are hosting a "High-speed Rail Summit" in Winona tomorrow to discuss efforts to build high-speed rail from Chicago to the Twin Cities. The guest list includes Sen. Al Franken, MnDOT officials and business leaders.

But notably absent from the list is the Southeast Minnesota Rail Alliance. The alliance, which was founded by the city of Rochester, Olmsted County, Mayo Clinic and Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce, has been pushing for Rochester to be considered a stop on a high-speed rail line. Bryan Anderson, a spokesman for the alliance and Mayo Clinic, said they were not invited to the event. Also, Rochester-area lawmakers asked about the summit said they were not aware of getting an invitation.

Ropes and Sieben have been vocal supporters of using the existing railroad route along the Mississippi River for high-speed rail. Under that scenario, the train would travel through Winona and Red Wing, stopping at St. Paul's Union Depot.

Rochester Sen. Ann Lynch said she was not aware of the event until today and will not be attending.

"I think maybe what is kind of puzzling is that if it is called a high-speed rail summit, to me that seems to imply that it would be more inclusive and have various options outlined," she said. "Clearly, that is not the intent."

Lake City Chamber backs river rail route

The Lake City Chamber of Commerce announced it is joining a coalition pushing for a high-speed rail route along the Mississippi River.

The chamber has joined On Board Midwest. The coalition is advocating a proposed Chicago to Twin Cities route that would run on existing tracks and include Winona, Red Wing and end in St. Paul.

Meanwhile, the Southeast Minnesota Rail Alliance, which includes Mayo Clinic, the city of Rochester, Olmsted County and the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce, is lobbying hard to have Rochester included as stop on a high-speed rail line.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation recently issued a memo that was not particularly favorable to Rochester's efforts. I wrote about that in a previous post.

Roch bypass plan complicates high-speed rail effort

Fellow Post-Bulletin reporter Jeff Pieters has a story today about a memorandum from the Minnesota Department of Transportation that casts some cold water on the city's high-speed rail hopes because of its bypass plan. Mayo Clinic, the city of Rochester, Olmsted County and the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce as part of the Southern Minnesota Rail Alliance have been pushing hard to get Rochester considered for a stop on a high-speed rail line from Chicago to the Twin Cities.

According to the story, a memorandum from the Minnesota Department of Transportation concludes that the bypass would dissuade some riders in Illinois and Wisconsin from taking the train because it would add to the riding time.

The memo also states that Rochester's proposed Southern Rail Corridor "degrades the convenience factor
for passengers. And also, it takes you out of downtown Rochester, which would seem to be the logical place for a passenger station."

There is some good news in the report for Rochester. It notes that a route that includes the Med City would have 35 percent higher ridership than the existing river route, which runs through Winona up to St. Paul. But the report does say it is "natural" to start with the existing river route.

Demmer not convinced of need for Rochester rail bypass

Hayfield Rep. Randy Demmer may not be on board with a plan backed by Mayo Clinic for a railroad bypass that would run south of Rochester.

The bypass would allow Canadian Pacific Railway train traffic to be re-rerouted south of the city. Backers of a proposed high-speed passenger rail line have said this route could also one day connect Rochester to Chicago and the Twin Cities. But the main purpose for the bypass is freight traffic. Mayo Clinic has long been opposed to seeing increased freight traffic come through the city arguing it would be a safety hazard.

But that proposed rail line would run through a good chunk of Demmer's district in Dodge County. The Republican said he has concerns with the proposal.

"I just don't know that I am convinced yet that this is a high enough need to cut through some of the best farm country in the nation," Demmer said.

The 48-mile rail line would start in Dover and end up near Dodge Center.

He said he is also concerned about the project's $325 million price tag and questions whether that is the best use for that money. Still, he said he is trying to keep an open mind. He has already been fielding phone calls from constituents upset about the possible bypass.

Ultimately, Demmer said it is important supporters of the bypass put together public information meetings where residents can see detailed maps and learn how the proposed route could affect them. Supporters also need to be open to hearing the concerns and suggestions of landowners.

"There needs to be that kind of dialogue," he said.

Pawlenty, Klobuchar, Walz back proposed Roch rail route

According to a press release issued this morning, Gov. Tim Pawlenty, U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar and U.S. Rep. Tim Walz all back a proposed rail corridor that would run south of Rochester. It would primarly be used for freight but could also accomodate high-speed rail  Here is the press release:

(Rochester, MN) - Congressman Tim Walz, Senator Amy Klobuchar, and Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced their support for a southern rail corridor around Rochester's south side. The southern rail corridor would route trains away from downtown Rochester and the Mayo Clinic to reduce safety risks and allow for future development. The project would create hundreds of jobs during the construction phase while potentially preserving thousands of Mayo Clinic jobs.

Last week in Washington, Rep. Walz, Sen. Klobuchar and Gov. Pawlenty met with Mayo Officials to discuss the four funding options for the corridor, which could include (1) funding through the Surface Transportation Bill reauthorization; (2) funding through a loan application by the State of Minnesota to the Federal Railroad Administration; (3) funding obtained by applying for American Recovery and Reinvestment Act dollars from the federal Department of Transportation; and (4) state share of bonding dollars to leverage federal funds.

Congressman Walz, a member of the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, agreed to request the southern rail corridor in this year's reauthorization of the federal Surface Transportation Bill after hearing from the Mayo Clinic that the Clinic's Board of Trustees continues to have serious concerns about the economic and patient safety challenges the CP rail line presents to the Mayo's Rochester campus.

"I will do everything in my power to preserve and protect the heart and soul of Mayo Clinic in southern Minnesota and to ensure that Mayo can continue to grow here in our state," said Congressman Walz. "Mayo's world-renowned medical breakthroughs are a direct result of the high caliber of its Minnesota employees and the supportive community in which the Clinic resides. Any significant threat to Mayo's ability to innovate and provide good-paying jobs is at odds with the development of lifesaving medical techniques and quality of life for all Minnesotans."

Walz went on to state that he would be requesting the southern Minnesota rail corridor as a High Priority Project of national significance in the 2009 reauthorization of the Surface Transportation Bill but also planned to assist with efforts to obtain funding from one or more of the other available funding streams.

Senator Klobuchar will pursue federal support for the corridor. "This is good for the Mayo clinic and good for the residents of Rochester," Senator Klobuchar said. "As a world leader in medical breakthroughs and patient care, the Mayo Clinic has not only been an economic engine for Minnesota, but an active and engaged community member in Minnesota's third largest city. I will continue to fight for federal support to keep the patients of Mayo and people of Rochester safe."

Governor Tim Pawlenty is directing the Minnesota Department of Transportation to apply for federal grants that could be utilized for the bypass. The Governor also said he would support state bonding funds in future years that could leverage federal funds.

"The State of Minnesota has been a significant partner with the Mayo Clinic over the years and Mayo has repaid us back many times over with their contributions to our state and the world," Governor Pawlenty said. "We need to take all reasonable steps to ensure that Mayo continues to grow and thrive in Minnesota."

The southern rail corridor would be built in a way that primarily supports freight but also accommodates high speed passenger rail if data from the Minnesota Department of Transportation rail study supports a high speed rail route from Chicago through Winona into Rochester. The rail corridor would move existing CP track to the south of Rochester to mitigate safety concerns around the highly populated downtown Rochester area, which includes the Mayo Clinic campus. The rail corridor project is expected to create just less than 50 miles of new track outside of the City of Rochester, allowing for higher train speeds and quicker shipping of commodities for local farmers.

Roch officials work on hush hush high-speed rail route

Fellow Post-Bulletin reporter Jeff Pieters has a story today about Rochester area officials holding confidential talks to map out a potential high-speed rail route. Jeff reports that Mayo Clinic, Rochester and Olmsted County have been holding "low-profile meetings" with rural officials in Olmsted and Dodge counties to build support for the plan.

While the official plan is not being released, those who have seen it say it would run from Winona County along the current Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern Railroad. At Dover, it would head southwest to Interstate-90 leading to the Rochester International Airport. From there, it would travel through Dodge County to Owatonna and then north along Interstate 35 to the Twin Cities.

The question becomes can Mayo and Rochester officials win support for this idea after having fought the DM&E upgrade that would have brought more coal trains in to the city. This route seems to mimic a bypass Mayo Clinic had supported for these coal trains. Jeff talks to some rural officials in a second story to gauge their interest.

Pawlenty to lawmakers: Get rid of rail language

In a letter sent yesterday to the chairs of the House and Senate transportation committees, Gov. Tim Pawlenty reiterated his opposition to any language that identifies a particular high-speed rail route.

 In this case, it's the Senate language in the omnibus transportation finance bills that has him concerned. That language requires the statewide rail plan include a study of a proposed high-speed rail route along the Mississippi River to St. Paul that could be extended to Minneapolis. It would also give design-build authority of construction of this specific high-speed rail line.

Of course, the river route leaves out Rochester as a possible stop on the proposed high-speed line from Chicago to the Twin Cities. The Southeast Minnesota Rail Alliance has been lobbying hard at the state and federal level to let the statewide rail plan determine where the route should go — not lawmakers.

Pawlenty agrees. In his letter, he said he objects to the Senate rail language.

"It appears to be an attempt to limit the options that will be considered in the objective, data-driven statewide rail analysis currently underway. This language should be broadened and not specify individual routes," Pawlenty wrote.

Meanwhile, a new coalition is taking up the cause for the river route. Here's a link to today's story about On Board Midwest's efforts.

High-speed rail and taxes dominate local political news

There is plenty of political news brewing today. On Sunday, First District DFL Rep. Tim Walz came to Rochester for a high-speed rail roundtable discussion. Joining him was Obama Administration official Mark Yachmetz, associate administrator of railroad development at the Federal Railroad Administration. This marked the Obama Administration's first such meeting in the Midwest since the President announced his plan to spend billions in the coming years on high-speed rail. My colleague, Laura Gossman, covered the event. Here's her story.

House DFLers also unveiled their plans this morning to raise $1.5 billion in taxes. According to The Associated Press, the plan includes an income tax hike for married joint filers making $300,000 or more. It would also boost tax rates on cigarettes and liquor.