8.6 SR 04-05-2021
Request for Action
To Item Number
Mayor and City Council 8.6
Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by
General Business April 5, 2021 Cal Portner, City Administrator
Item Description Reviewed by
Resolution Supporting Additional Passenger
Train
Reviewed by
Action Requested
Adopt, by motion, a resolution urging legislative support for additional passenger train service.
Background/Discussion
Tom Beaumont, a board member from All Aboard Minnesota, reached out to Mayor Dietz requesting support for
rail passenger service improvements. All Aboard Minnesota is asking communities on the BNSF rail line to
approve a resolution to the Minnesota State Legislature urging financial support for a matching grant to expand
rail service.
Mr. Beaumont indicated Anoka and Brainerd have approved such resolutions to date. Also attached is a sheet
highlighting major benefits of rail passenger service to communities and regions.
Financial Impact
N/A
Mission/Policy/Goal
The City of Elk River Vision and Mission
Attachments
Resolution
All Aboard Minnesota Information Sheet
The Elk River Vision
A welcoming community with revolutionary and spirited resourcefulness, exceptional
service, and community engagement that encourages and inspires prosperity.
Updated: August 2020
City of Elk River
City Council
Resolution 21-____
A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Elk River Supporting Rail
Passenger Service Improvements
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WHEREAS, the MnDOT State Rail Plan includes a proposed 2 Passenger Train
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frequency (2 train) between the Twin Cities and Chicago for which design planning is
completed. This new service between the Twin Cities, Milwaukee and Chicago utilizes the
current route of Amtrak’s Empire Builder at speeds up to 79 miles an hour; and
WHEREAS, the State of Minnesota was awarded a Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and
Safety Improvement (CRISI) grant in 2020 totaling $31.8 million for infrastructure
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improvements along the existing freight railroad’s right-of-way to enable the 2 train; and
WHEREAS, the State of Minnesota needs to provide $10 million in matching funds to
receive the CRISI grant; and
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WHEREAS, once the 2 train service is operational, we believe its success would allow
the expansion of passenger rail to our community per the MnDOT state rail plan; and
WHEREAS, freight railroads will benefit from the capital investment needed for Twin
Cities daytime service to Fargo/Moorhead, enabling greater freight train speeds, reducing
railroad congestion; and
WHEREAS, Elk River residents are mainly reliant upon highways today for travel and
more passenger rail service would expand transportation options to the east and west of our
city for our residents who cannot or don’t want to drive or fly; and
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WHEREAS, the 2 train alone will benefit Minnesota’s economy by an estimated $25
million annually, by supporting and increasing jobs, tourism, and creating a more economical
travel choice, and for every one dollar invested in passenger rail service, it generates three
dollars in every community served; and
WHEREAS, many states in the Midwest and around the country are investing in more
passenger rail service as they realize the economic and mobility benefits of such services.
Some of these states include but are not limited to: Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Missouri,
Ohio, Virginia, California, Oregon, Maine, North Carolina.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Elk
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River, Minnesota, that it hereby supports funding the proposed 2 Passenger Train
Frequency between the Twin Cities and Chicago, and requests that the Minnesota
Legislature approve a minimum of $10 million to provide matching funds to secure the
CRISI Grant Award as described above, and supports funding of the MnDOT state rail plan
specified at $160 million for possible expansion of passenger rail service to our city.
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Passed and adopted this 5 day of April 2021.
John J. Dietz, Mayor
ATTEST:
Tina Allard, City Clerk
WHY MORE PASSENGER TRAINS FOR MINNESOTA?
THREE GREAT REASONS!
One: G enerates economic growth
For every dollar invested in passenger rail, three dollars are generated within the
communities served
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The proposed 2 Train frequency between the Twin Cities and Chicago alone would
generate economic returns eight to ten times for spending on the service (total
economic benefit of $25M, cost $2-3M, estimated)*
Two: Passenger trains reduce highway congestion and costs
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The 2 train would take an estimated 90,000 riders out of cars, which:*
o Reduces highway trips by 15M car miles in this corridor
o Reduces $32M in highway maintenance costs
Trains are 17 times safer than cars; the region will save $1.8M from traffic accidents
avoided*
Three: Passenger trains offer greater mobility
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The 2 Train will drive an additional fourteen thousand trips each year, called induced
demand, i.e. trips that otherwise would not be taken*
Induced demand travel will inject $2.9M of new revenue into economy each
year through mainly new visitor spending*
Trains connect urban to outstate communities, and offer options for those who or
prefer not to drive or fly, such as college students, families with children, elderly, etc.
For more information or to contact us, visit: AllaboardMN.org
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Note 2 Train is one example of how additional rail passenger service could benefit economy and
mobility. More service, like Twin Cities to Duluth, could offer even more economic benefits.
* Source Impacts from a Second Train to Minnesota. View this full paper on: AllAboardMN.org