Bill > SF2887

This bill requires the Minnesota commissioner of transportation to apply to the Federal Railroad Administration's Corridor Identification and Development Program, established by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, for two specific intercity passenger rail corridors: (1) an extension of passenger rail service from St. Paul to Fargo, North Dakota, and (2) a new passenger rail service from St. Paul to Kansas City, Missouri, which would include stops in Northfield, Albert Lea, and Des Moines, Iowa. If the application is successful, the commissioner must complete the initial Step 1 scoping requirements for both routes. The bill appropriates $1,000,000 in fiscal year 2026 from the general fund to support these efforts, including obtaining federal grants, planning and development costs, and providing grants to political subdivisions for various project-related activities such as cost estimates, alternatives analysis, preliminary engineering, environmental analysis, and economic impact studies. The appropriation is a one-time allocation available until June 30, 2028, and covers only the Minnesota share of project costs. The bill aims to advance passenger rail infrastructure and connectivity in Minnesota by leveraging federal funding opportunities.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=Senate&f=SF2887&ssn=0&y=2025