2010 Minnesota Comprehensive Statewide Freight and Passenger Rail

Plan

AASHTO Standing Committee on Rail2010 Washington

Meeting

Freight in State Rail Plans—Best Practices

Project Phases

• 4 Class I Railroads• 16 Short Line Railroads• 4500 Route Miles• Most (but not all) private

companies & infrastructure• 4,500 Public Grade

Crossings• 8th Highest Rail Miles in

Nation

Current Rail System

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Key Minnesota IndustriesLong-term trendsIndustry Outlook Explanation

Distribution, Warehousing, Retail

State remains excellent location for North-Central logistics; Retail to recover with economy

Manufacturing Output steady as jobs decline; technically-advanced players will compete successfully

Construction Industry will recover with economy, but not to 2004-2006 levels

Agriculture and Food E15 decisions to affect corn production; soybeans stable; uncertainties for dairy

Paper and Wood Expansions at existing paper facilities; Exports balancing low domestic demand

Life Sciences Recognized world leader in medical equipment and advanced healthcare

Energy Population and jobs to increase energy demand; fuel types and origins may change

Mining Growing interest in Iron Range; expanding to steel; new markets for taconite tailings

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Freight Vision• Rail is a critical part of the state’s multimodal freight system,

and provides connections to key markets beyond the state• Many of the state’s major industries rely on freight rail• A strong rail system supports

– Economic development – Environmental sustainability – Preservation of the publicly owned roadway

infrastructure– Business marketability of the State

• Therefore, Minnesota should strive to develop a balanced multimodal freight system which can respond to increased regional and international economic competition, constrained highway capacity, environmental challenges, a diverse customer base and rising energy costs

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Passenger/Freight Integration

Current Track Capacity

2030 Freight and Passenger LOS With Improvements

2030 Freight and Passenger LOS Without Improvements

Stakeholders Outreach• Minnesota HSR Commission• Joint Environmental Panel• United Transportation Union• Minnesota Regional

Railroad Association• TC&W Railroad• West Central Rail Shippers• Minnesota Farm Bureau• Minnesota Grain & Feed Assoc.• Minnesota Chamber

of Commerce• Transportation Alliance

• Metropolitan Council• Counties Transit Improvement Board• Northern Lights Express• Northstar Corridor Development Auth.• Rural Counties Association• Rochester/SEMRA• Wisconsin DOT• Mn. Freight Advisory Committee• Individual Stakeholders• Total of 80 organizations & numerous

individual discussions

Effective Railroad Engagement

• Develop coordinated communications plan (who/what/when)

• Railroads—technical and gov. affairs, nat’l & local• Include agency staff in communications• Be persistent (like Dorothy)• Use multiple communication methods• Don’t expect consensus

2010 Minnesota Comprehensive Statewide Freight and Passenger Rail Plan

http://www.dot.state.mn.us/planning/railplan/resources.html