2023 Annual Report
March 22, 2024
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Thank you for your interest in the Twin Cities - Milwaukee - Chicago (TCMC) Second Train project and expanded passenger rail options along the River Route. This Enewsletter is our 2023 Annual Report. It includes a recap of news and Great River Rail Commission activities over the last year, and previews next steps.
Please forward this newsletter to friends and colleagues who may be interested in passenger rail news.
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Amendments Approved – Second Train Launch Date Closer |
The Second Train moved one step closer to becoming a reality on March 19 with approval of agreements between Ramsey County and Amtrak. During its regular meeting, the Ramsey County Regional Railroad Authority (RCRRA) voted unanimously to approve amendments to the operating and lease agreements with Amtrak that will allow the Twin Cities-Milwaukee-Chicago Second Train to serve Union Depot in Saint Paul.
A service announcement is expected this spring. The schedules, fares, start date and official name of the train service will be jointly announced when all agreements between the parties have been finalized.
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Operations funding secured from the state of Minnesota in 2023 |
In the 2023 legislative session, Minnesota approved funding for two years of operating expenses for the Twin Cities-Milwaukee-Chicago Intercity Passenger Rail service (TCMC Second Train) and funds to address construction inflation for track, signal and bridge work. Wisconsin has already committed to provide a similar amount for operations as will the state of Illinois. New Minnesota legislation will have to be approved to continue operations into the future. |
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When will the train begin running? |
The Second Train still does not have an official start date, but strong progress has been made toward getting the train on track.
Accomplishments:
- Amtrak has committed that equipment will be available when the service begins.
- A System Safety Plan was submitted to the Federal Railroad Administration.
- An agreement was reached on operating cost sharing among the three states. Minnesota and Wisconsin will each contribute 35% of the operating cost not covered by fares, Illinois will contribute 30%.
- Agreements approved between Amtrak and Ramsey County.
To be completed:
- A route and service plan (nearly complete).
- Service Agreements between Amtrak and Canadian Pacific (the owner of the rail line), between Amtrak and the states of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Illinois, the owner of St. Paul Union Depot, and between Wisconsin and the Federal Railroad Administration.
“All parties are actively working on getting the service started as soon as possible,” said Ramsey County Commissioner Trista Martinson, chair of the Great River Rail Commission, “Members of the Great River Rail Commission have worked a long time to secure a second daily train to/from Chicago and we are so close to the final agreements that will ensure long term success and reliability of service. Once agreements are executed we eagerly wait for the announcement of the start date.”
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Design and construction progress |
Final design continues to move forward on several fronts to complete work on railroad tracks, signals, and bridges that will speed trains up and reduce travel time. This includes some additional environmental work, as well as moving forward with the property acquisition process and utility relocation planning. While most of the acquisitions are temporary easements, they still take time based on state requirements. WisDOT, MnDOT and the consultant team are working on some updates to the design and construction schedule and will update the project website once they are ready. Construction is funded by the states of Wisconsin and Minnesota are providing matching funds to the $31.8 million federal grant awarded in 2020 proportionate to the amount of work being done in each state, with more work and more investment in Minnesota. |
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Promoting the TCMC Second Train service |
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Planning is underway to implement a publicity plan as soon as a service start date is announced. A coordinated effort to promote the service will be launched by the major players, including Amtrak, the states, and local communities along the route, including the Great River Rail Commission. |
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More Passenger Rail Coming to Minnesota? |
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Minnesota residents could benefit from additional passenger rail service that was approved by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) for funding of planning studies. The FRA announced 69 passenger-rail corridor selections across 44 states through the new Corridor Identification and Development Program. Neighboring Wisconsin received seven grants, including funding to study development of another train on the Twin Cities-Milwaukee-Chicago (TCMC) route, as well as extending a train from the Chicago- Milwaukee Hiawatha route through Madison and Eau Claire to the Twin Cities. The selections were awarded up to $500,000 for further study and planning activities. The Chippewa-St. Croix Rail Commission received a grant to study the Eau Claire-Hudson-Twin Cities route as a multi-frequency regional corridor. The Commission's application is unique in that it proposes a competitive process for selecting a train operator.
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In 2023, the Great River Rail Commission’s major priority was securing operations funding for the state of Minnesota’s portion of operating costs for the TCMC Second Train. The Commission also worked on other initiatives including:
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Expanded membership. The Commission sent invitations to additional counties, cities, towns, villages and other eligible organizations in Minnesota and Wisconsin between Saint Paul and La Crosse. The Commission welcomed Washington County, the city of Newport and Wacouta Township as new members.
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Business Roundtables. Commission consultants worked with local community members in La Crosse, Winona, and Red Wing to preliminarily form groups of local advocates for the Second Train service. When service start is scheduled, these groups will work together to promote destinations within their River Route cities with Amtrak stations.
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Public Outreach. The Great River Rail Commission’s major public outreach focus for 2024 will be to get people on board the Second Train to visit the great destinations along the Mississippi River Route. The Commission will work with local governments, tourism agencies, business owners, and other organizations to coordinate efforts.
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Passenger rail in the United States |
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Virginia
The federal government will provide up to $1.1 billion to the Raleigh to Richmond (R2R) project for parts of the Southeast Corridor from Raleigh to Wake Forest, North Carolina. Passenger trains share tracks with freight trains so the investment will improve system and service performance for both. The project is one phase of a broader plan for passenger rail between Raleigh, North Carolina, and Richmond, Virginia, which would connect to Northeast Corridor train service.
Florida
Florida’s Brightline passenger rail service between Orlando and Miami officially began service in September. Brightline launched operations in South Florida in 2018, connecting Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach. Stations in Boca Raton and Aventura opened last year. The $6 billion project has generated substantial economic benefits in Florida creating 10,000 jobs and approximately $6.4 billion in direct economic impact to the region. Brightline covers 235 miles between Miami and Orlando and the new route takes between 3 and 3.5 hours depending on South Florida station stops.
Illinois
Illinois has received $95.1 million from the Federal Railroad Administration to invest in passenger rail, highlighted by almost $94 million to improve and modernize Chicago's Union Station. Amtrak and the Illinois Department of Transportation have been awarded two grants totaling $93.6 million under a federal-state partnership to deliver key components of the Chicago Hub Improvement Program, a portfolio of projects that will improve rail service and operations in Chicago and throughout the Midwest.
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Amtrak
Amtrak continued its strong growth in Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) as the company resumed service on all routes and advanced major infrastructure projects that will support plans to double ridership by 2040. In FY23, more than 28 million customers rode Amtrak nationwide, fueled in part by significant growth on the Northeast Corridor (NEC), where ridership is booming and consistently exceeding pre-pandemic levels since early summer. More than 4,800 additional people were hired to support ridership growth and improve existing service. Total Operating Revenue increased to $3.4 billion.
Georgia
The Federal Railroad Administration awarded $1.5 million to explore creating a passenger rail service that would connect Atlanta to Savannah, Charlotte, N.C. and major cities in Tennessee like Chattanooga and Nashville. The grants are being distributed by the Federal Rail Administration, and are made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
Washington State
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) announced the award of grants for two Washington State Department of Transportation rail programs. The Amtrak Cascades and the Cascadia High-Speed Rail programs were each awarded $500,000 through the Corridor Identification and Development (CID) program. With these awards, both programs are designated as national rail corridors and are now part of the federal funding pipeline for future intercity passenger rail projects.
Nevada
True High-Speed Rail is envisioned for a line between Las Vegas, Nevada, and Rancho Cucamonga, California. The federal government will invest up to $3 billion for a new 218-mile system. Trip times of just over 2 hours would be close to half the time of driving. The route could carry 11 million passengers annually, create 35,000 construction jobs, and provide 1,000 permanent jobs in operations and maintenance once in service. The project is called Brightline West, and involves the same private corporation responsible for the Florida passenger rail service of the same name.
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15 W. Kellogg Blvd., Suite 210
Saint Paul, MN 55102
Phone: (651) 266-2790
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Header photo courtesy of Amtrak/Marc Glucksman |
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