HomeMy WebLinkAbout5L-MnDOT Supporting Intercity Rail Report
4646 Dakota Street SE
Prior Lake, MN 55372
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
MEETING DATE: JANUARY 26, 2015
AGENDA #: 5L
PREPARED BY: FRANK BOYLES, CITY MANAGER
PRESENTED BY: FRANK BOYLES
AGENDA ITEM: CONSIDER APPROVAL OF A LETTER TO THE MINNESOTA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION IN SUPPORT OF INTERCITY
RAIL
DISCUSSION: Introduction
The purpose of this agenda item is to approve a letter of support for intercity
rail.
History
Some years ago a proposal was offered at the legislature to initiate the “Dan
Patch” light rail transit lines. Some legislators acting on behalf of the local
communities through which the line would operate passed what amounted
to a “gag order” so the concept could not be discussed by the legislature.
Current Circumstances
Efforts have been made to overturn the gag order but to date have not been
successful. As a means of addressing the need for this line, the “South
Central Minnesota Inter-City Regional Passenger Rail Initiative” was
conceived. The fundamental purpose of the initiative is to restore intercity
regional passenger rail service between south central Minnesota using
existing rail lines through Northfield. In order to do so, the project must be
moved to a tier one status in the State’s rail plan which is currently being
revised.
A common letter has been prepared and is being sent to MnDOT
Commissioner Zelle by February 1, 2015.
Conclusion
The Council should determine if it wishes to send such a letter and approve
the letter content. The proposed letter is attached for your review.
ISSUES: City’s affected by the gag order have tried other tactics to improve passenger
transit in our area but have been unsuccessful. The gag order is bad public
policy in a nation that prides itself on talking about its political issues and
differences. Transportation and transit have long been recognized as key
prerequisites to economic development.
FINANCIAL None at this point.
IMPACT:
Phone 952.447.9800 / Fax 952.447.4245 / www.cityofpriorlake.com
ALTERNATIVES: 1) Motion and second as part of the consent agenda to approve the letter
in its proposed format for submission to Commissioner Zelle.
2) Motion and second to approve a modified letter.
3) Take no action.
RECOMMENDED Alternative #1
MOTION:
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4646 Dakota Street SE
Prior Lake, MN 55372
January 27, 2015
Commissioner Charles Zelle
Minnesota Department of Transportation
395 John Ireland Boulevard
Mailstop 100
St. Paul, MN 55155-1899
RE: City of Prior Lake Support for Intercity Rail to Tier One Status
Dear Commissioner Zelle,
We are writing to encourage MnDOT to move restored inter-city regional passenger rail
serve between south central Minnesota and the Twin Cities on existing rail lines through
Northfield, to Tier One status in the State’s revised Rail Plan. We urge MnDOT to commence
an evaluative study of our rail corridor, including the inter-state connections that this line
would restore to our State and communities.
We feel strongly that this project presents sufficient merit to our region and State to warrant
serious study for possible development in the near future. We see this project as beneficial
to the economic development of our city and region. We also recognize the potential inter-
state rail connections that our particular rail line would open for Minnesotans by virtue of
the intersection of our line with three of Amtrak’s most heavily trafficked inter-state lines
that intersect with our rail line as it continues south to Kansas City and Des Moines.
The 2009 Minnesota Comprehensive Statewide Freight and Passenger Rail Plan identifies
the Northfield – Metropolitan corridor for Tier II development. Moving this corridor forward
to Tier One Status in the State’s Rail Plan for purposes of evaluative preliminary study is
more than justified by the forecasted levels of usage, and the apparent technical feasibility
of two existing rail alignments that serve our region. Importantly, study of restored
passenger service between south central Minnesota and the Twin Cities through Northfield
is also justified by the financial feasibility of this project as compared with other proposed
passenger rail projects in the State, since our project would introduce passenger service on
existing rail lines.
Phone 952.447.9800 / Fax 952.447.4245 / www.cityofpriorlake.com
Elevating our central Minnesota passenger rail corridor to Tier One Status in the State Rail
Plan is warranted by the enthusiastic grass roots support that this project has received from
regional stakeholders. Representatives of Prior Lake have met with elected and appointed
leaders from around our region and we see this project as one of common interest to our
communities, region and the State.
We strongly encourage MnDOT to elevate restored regional inter-city passenger rail service
for south central Minnesota to the Twin Cities metropolitan area, to Tier One Status in the
State’s revised Rail Plan, and ask you to commence an evaluative study of that alignment as
part of your statewide rail planning.
Respectfully,
Mayor Kenneth L. Hedberg Councilor Mike McGuire
Councilor Rick Keeney Councilor Monique Morton
Councilor Annette Thompson
cc: Mr. Dave Christianson, Project Manager, Minnesota State Rail Plan, MN Department
of Transportation, 395 John Ireland Blvd., Mailstop 480, St. Paul, MN 55155-1899
Mr. Dan Krom, Passenger Rail Director, MN Department of Transportation, 395 John
Ireland Blvd., Mailstop 480, St. Paul, MN 55155-1899
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