Posted on 04/05/2009 6:03:14 AM PDT by Son House
Today, Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty announced that a statewide study of future rail lines would include all options.
That's something, supporters of a line through Rochester feared wouldn't happen.
So today, there is new hope the city will see the dream of a rail line, come true. It takes a little over an hour to travel from Rochester to St. Paul.
A new rail line could cut that time in more than half.
“Whether is the legislature, or University of Minnesota, or other things to get up there and back, obviously it would be a real benefit," Brede says.
That's why supporters of a high-speed rail line through the city are applauding the governor.
"We're very pleased that the statement has come out," Brede says.
The governor's announcement directs MnDot and a passenger rail transportation forum to study any and all possible rail lines.
That includes a route from Duluth to the Twin Cities and one connecting Chicago with the metro, which could go through Winona or Rochester.
Supporters say it will make sure Rochester gets a fair look.
"Where are the riders going to be, where will you get the best economic return on this whole investment, cheaper may not be the best way to go when you're looking at the long range," Brede says.
"The last thing any of us want to do is invest the dollars we're talking about into something that's not going to remain viable in terms of ridership and the economy," says Marcia Marcoux.
The study will be used to create a comprehensive statewide freight and passenger rail plan and to decide which projects will be submitted for federal funding, including 8 million dollars from the stimulus bill.
Why would anyone want to catch a train to St. Paul ?
Great. More public transportation no one will use that I’ll be stuck subsidizing. Absolute and utter madness.
Minnesota has great welfare benefits, thanks to bench-warmer Pawlenty
and to decide which projects will be submitted for federal funding, including 8 million dollars from the stimulus bill
.
it took over a billion, huge cost over-runs, for what little light rail they have in Minneapolis, thanks bench-warmer and former Gov Jesse Ventura, (Liberal) Independence Party
Lets see..drive from home to rail station...pay to park car...transport to rail station...wait for train (always late)...ride train to destination...wait to rent a car at destination or get a cab..... Rinse repeat in reverse....Yup a real travel special and a certain time saving and money saving option! What idiots!
Another waste of OUR money!
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I agree.
I am so incredibly down on Pawlenty. But then again, I have been down on him since he signed the %$@!ing Twins Stadium bill.
In ‘06, I voted for him only because I was deathly afraid of Mike Hatch as our Governor. I tell people “I didn’t vote FOR Pawlenty. I voted AGAINST Mike Hatch”.
The scary part is that he’s about our only chance to keep the Governor’s Office in GOP hands. I’ll probably have to choke back the vomit in my mouth and vote for him again. The current crop of Dems running for Governor are just too damned scary.
Gentle criticism: "Dems" and "scary" in the same sentence is redundant.
LOL!
Point well taken!
Another benefit of the train is to make it easier for the drug dealers and gang bangers from the TC to get down to Rochester. It will give them opportunity, hope, and change.
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