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Home | Politically Connected | State Politics

It’s full steam ahead on Minnesota rail plans

With billions in stimulus money available, the governor says the state will study which projects to pursue, including a line to Chicago.

By PAUL LEVY, Star Tribune

Last update: April 3, 2009 - 11:34 PM

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With $8 billion in federal grants for high-speed rail corridors and intercity passenger rail up for grabs, Gov. Tim Pawlenty on Friday ordered a statewide study to determine the best rail projects for which Minnesota should pursue stimulus funding.

Pawlenty also said Friday that the Northstar commuter line should be extended to St. Cloud and that studies of a high-speed line from the Twin Cities to Chicago should include access to Rochester.

On his weekly radio show, Pawlenty said Northstar, scheduled to open this fall, should ultimately extend to St. Cloud. That was the original plan 14 years ago. But what started as a $260 million plan for a commuter train from Minneapolis to St. Cloud was derailed by politics -- some say Pawlenty -- and, years later, has became a $310 million rail line from Minneapolis to Big Lake.

Then, during a visit to Minnesota last month, Vice President Joe Biden promised "we'll get you the money" to extend the Northstar line to St. Cloud.

"The governor's long-term desire has always been to extend Northstar to St. Cloud," Brian McClung, Pawlenty's director of communications, said from Fargo on Friday. "The governor was glad to hear Vice President Biden's committed to do that."

A possible Rochester stop on a high-speed line from the Twin Cities to Chicago falls contrary to a multistate Midwest Regional Rail Initiative, which calls for a $1.2 billion route to follow existing tracks along the Mississippi River, from Winona to St. Paul.

But Pawlenty wants to explore all options. He discussed rail projects with Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle earlier this week and met with U.S. Rep. Tim Walz, exploring possible rail stops in Rochester and Winona. He also said a statewide study should include the proposed Northern Lights Express passenger line from Minneapolis to Duluth.

"We should consider every option, including rail, as we build a 21st century transportation system that assists economic development and moves people and goods around the state," Pawlenty said in a statement Friday.

The Department of Transportation and an intercity rail forum "will ensure that our application makes the best case for our state," Pawlenty said.

Paul Levy • 612-673-4419

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Governor: Tim Pawlenty
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