The second Amtrak passenger train from St. Paul to Chicago is a go after receiving $10 million in state funding as voted on by legislators as part of the special session that ended Wednesday.
âIâve received quite a bit of feedback about a possible second train between the Twin Cities, Milwaukee, and Chicago, and much of it has been positive,â Sen. Mike Goggin said. âNo matter what one thinks of the train, southeast Minnesota will definitely benefit from the rail infrastructure improvements, including signal upgrades. A state investment of $10 million will bring us $53 million worth of rail upgrades, which will improve safety and speed for southeast Minnesota.â
Minnesota funding for second train to Chicago thwarted But supporters remain determined to add daily service between St. Paul and the Windy City. November 4, 2020 7:38pm Text size Copy shortlink:
Supporters of a proposed second round-trip train between the Twin Cities and Chicago are determined to advance the project despite failing to win funding at the legislature last month. The second train is by no means dead, said Brian Nelson, president of the passenger rail advocacy group All Aboard Minnesota. We are investigating a whole host of [funding] alternatives.
Earlier this year, the project received a boost when the Federal Railroad Administration awarded it $32 million. But the money comes with the caveat that Minnesota kick in $10 million in matching funds.
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Paul Drotos joined the Goodhue County Board of Commissioners in January 2017 and has helped with the sustainability of the countyâs environment ever since.
Drotos is the vice chair of the Great River Rail Commission and has been a member of the Red Wing Lions Club for over 30 years.
We talked with Drotos about what inspired him to join the county board, what he advocates for, what he does on his off time and more.
What inspired you to join?Â
I had several bones to pick with my predecessor. And, speaking of bones, it takes three kinds of bones to be a good public servant. The back bone is required to stand up for what you believe. The wish bone is for hoping to make necessary improvements. And, the funny bone is for being able to laugh at yourself before somebody else does it for you.
Minnesota is being asked for a $10 million commitment to make the passenger train option a reality. 7:29 am, Mar. 15, 2021 ×
The Great River Rail Commission presented a town hall discussion Thursday, March 11, 2021, about a proposed second passenger train from St. Paul to Chicago with stops in Southeast Minnesota including Red Wing and Winona. (Map courtesy of Great River Rail Commission)
RED WING Rail advocates met online Thursday to talk about a proposed second Twin Cities-Milwaukee-Chicago passenger train.
Hosted by the Great River Rail Commission, the public discussion began with a presentation about what a second daily train from St. Paul to Chicago – with Southeast Minnesota stops in Red Wing and Winona – would mean in terms of costs and benefits.