State Rail Plan Update

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The comment period for the State Rail Plan is now closed.

The comment period for the final draft of the Minnesota State Rail Plan is closed. The final draft of the plan can still be viewed here. The next and final step in the process is the adoption of the final State Rail Plan. This step involves reviewing comments received during the comment period, internal review of the plan document, submission to Federal Railroad Administration, and submission to Governor's Office.

The Minnesota State Rail Plan envisions the future of Minnesota’s rail transportation system over the next 20 years. The plan describes the importance of railroads to Minnesota’s economy, the state of the current rail system and trends, and identifies key rail investments that better support the transportation of goods, services and people throughout Minnesota. The plan guides and supports MnDOT’s efforts to ensure rail and all modes of transportation work together to move Minnesota.

Informational webinar recordings

MNDOT hosted two webinars to provide an overview of information in the draft State Rail Plan document. The webinars were recorded and can be viewed via the links below:

What is the vision provided in the State Rail Plan?

The Rail Plan’s vision and goals are aligned with those of Minnesota’s Statewide Multimodal Transportation Plan (SMTP).

MnDOT invites and encourages participation by all. If you feel you need reasonable accommodation because of a disability to fully participate (such as an ASL or a spoken language interpreter), or need documents in an alternative format (such as braille or large print), please contact: 651-366-4720 or ADArequest.dot@statemn.us

The comment period for the State Rail Plan is now closed.

The comment period for the final draft of the Minnesota State Rail Plan is closed. The final draft of the plan can still be viewed here. The next and final step in the process is the adoption of the final State Rail Plan. This step involves reviewing comments received during the comment period, internal review of the plan document, submission to Federal Railroad Administration, and submission to Governor's Office.

The Minnesota State Rail Plan envisions the future of Minnesota’s rail transportation system over the next 20 years. The plan describes the importance of railroads to Minnesota’s economy, the state of the current rail system and trends, and identifies key rail investments that better support the transportation of goods, services and people throughout Minnesota. The plan guides and supports MnDOT’s efforts to ensure rail and all modes of transportation work together to move Minnesota.

Informational webinar recordings

MNDOT hosted two webinars to provide an overview of information in the draft State Rail Plan document. The webinars were recorded and can be viewed via the links below:

What is the vision provided in the State Rail Plan?

The Rail Plan’s vision and goals are aligned with those of Minnesota’s Statewide Multimodal Transportation Plan (SMTP).

MnDOT invites and encourages participation by all. If you feel you need reasonable accommodation because of a disability to fully participate (such as an ASL or a spoken language interpreter), or need documents in an alternative format (such as braille or large print), please contact: 651-366-4720 or ADArequest.dot@statemn.us

  • Public Engagement Events and Opportunities:

    Share Public Engagement Events and Opportunities: on Facebook Share Public Engagement Events and Opportunities: on Twitter Share Public Engagement Events and Opportunities: on Linkedin Email Public Engagement Events and Opportunities: link
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    The State Rail Plan process involved two rounds of public engagement. The first was to introduce the plan concepts, schedule, and scope. The later round will be to report back on findings in the development process, to provide a summary of public input during the process, to synthesize technical information and provide project details for public review. The following is a list of Engagement Activities and Events to support the project:


    Previous Engagement Meetings and Events

    Public Meetings:

    As the ultimate beneficiary of the State Rail Plan, the public is a key audience for engagement in this planning effort. MnDOT hosted a series of public meetings as part of the first round of the public engagement process to provide the public with an opportunity to learn about the states railroads, the rail plan update process, and to provide feedback. Public meetings were held in the following locations:

    Duluth
    Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024
    4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
    Lake Superior Railroad Museum
    506 W Michigan St
    Duluth, MN 55802
    Rochester
    Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024
    4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
    Rochester Public Library
    101 2nd St SE
    Rochester, MN 55904
    Moorhead
    Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024
    4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
    Moorhead Public Library
    118 5th St S
    Moorhead, MN 56560
    St. Paul
    Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024
    10:00 a.m. - noon
    Union Depot
    214 4th St East
    Saint Paul, MN 55101


    St. Cloud
    Tuesday, April 16, 2024
    5-7 p.m.
    Great River Regional Library
    1300 W. St. Germain St.
    St. Cloud, MN 56301
    Duluth
    Wednesday, April 17, 2024
    5-7 p.m.
    Lake Superior Railroad Museum
    506 W Michigan St.
    Duluth, MN 55802
    St. Paul
    Wednesday, April 24, 2024
    5-7 p.m.
    Union Depot
    214 4th St. E.
    St. Paul, MN 55101
    Mankato
    Thursday, April 25, 2024
    5-7 p.m.
    Blue Earth County Historical Society
    424 Warren St.
    Mankato, MN 56001


    PAC/TAC Meetings

    • TAC meeting, Nov 25 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
    • PAC meeting, Nov 26 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.


    Past Public Events

    The Hispanic Heritage Festival

    Immerse yourself in culture through music, interactive displays, food, crafts and various entertainment! The Hispanic Heritage Festival welcomes everyone to partake in this annual outdoor fall festival hosted by Hispanic Outreach of Goodhue County. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and stay for the afternoon.

    September 14, noon to 6 p.m.
    Central Park, Red Wing MN

    52nd Annual Traditional Mahkato Wacipi

    The Mahkato Mdewakanton Association is a gathering of nations to celebrate and honor our traditions and ancestors; to reconcile and build bridges between all nations through education, storytelling, and sharing Dakota Indian culture.

    Saturday September 21, noon to 6 p.m.
    Land of Memories Park, Mankato MN

    2024 Minnesota State Fair

    MnDOT hosted a booth during the 12 days of summer fun at the “Great Minnesota Get-Together,” the annual Minnesota State Fair is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the region.

    August 22 - September 2
    State Fairgrounds, St Paul

    The Black Market

    The Black Market is a black-business marketplace open to and welcoming of all. We curate, organize and operate a monthly market, "The Black Busines Is Beautiful", a marketplace sponsored by The Lab.

    August 10, 2 - 6 p.m., 767 North Eustis Street, Saint Paul
    More info: Black Market Events

    Union Depot Train Days

    A free celebration of trains and transportation! Train Days includes train equipment tours, a vendor marketplace, model trains, concessions, family friendly activities and more.

    June 1 - June 2 - St Paul Union Depot
    More info: 2024 Train Days

    Final Spike Anniversary Steam Tour

    A public event sponsored by Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) to celebrate the connection of 3 nations via rail. Observe the 2816 Empress Steam train on display in St. Paul. Admission to Union Depot for this event is free, and the public will have the opportunity to see the 2816 up close, learn more about the locomotive and CPKC’s history. The Puffer Belly Express mini-train, a quarter scale steam locomotive model will also be on location.

    May 3 - St Paul Union Depot
    More info: Final Spike!

    Other events

    Rail stakeholder engagement activities included:

    • Advisory committee meetings
    • Stakeholder interviews
    • Focus groups and workshops
    • Workplace-based outreach

    Annual Minnesota Regional Railroads Conference:

    On July 16,2024 MnDOT presented regarding the State Rail Plan project at the Minnesota Regional Railroads Association (MRRA) annual conference. MnDOT staff described the progress towards completing the update of the plan to date. Although this was not a public event, the ability of the project team to participate in the conference afforded MnDOT staff with an important opportunity to engage with the states Class 1 and Shortline railroads - a key audience and an important contributor to the planning process.



    The State Rail Plan process involved two rounds of public engagement. The first was to introduce the plan concepts, schedule, and scope. The later round will be to report back on findings in the development process, to provide a summary of public input during the process, to synthesize technical information and provide project details for public review. The following is a list of Engagement Activities and Events to support the project:


    Previous Engagement Meetings and Events

    Public Meetings:

    As the ultimate beneficiary of the State Rail Plan, the public is a key audience for engagement in this planning effort. MnDOT hosted a series of public meetings as part of the first round of the public engagement process to provide the public with an opportunity to learn about the states railroads, the rail plan update process, and to provide feedback. Public meetings were held in the following locations:

    Duluth
    Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024
    4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
    Lake Superior Railroad Museum
    506 W Michigan St
    Duluth, MN 55802
    Rochester
    Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024
    4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
    Rochester Public Library
    101 2nd St SE
    Rochester, MN 55904
    Moorhead
    Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024
    4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
    Moorhead Public Library
    118 5th St S
    Moorhead, MN 56560
    St. Paul
    Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024
    10:00 a.m. - noon
    Union Depot
    214 4th St East
    Saint Paul, MN 55101


    St. Cloud
    Tuesday, April 16, 2024
    5-7 p.m.
    Great River Regional Library
    1300 W. St. Germain St.
    St. Cloud, MN 56301
    Duluth
    Wednesday, April 17, 2024
    5-7 p.m.
    Lake Superior Railroad Museum
    506 W Michigan St.
    Duluth, MN 55802
    St. Paul
    Wednesday, April 24, 2024
    5-7 p.m.
    Union Depot
    214 4th St. E.
    St. Paul, MN 55101
    Mankato
    Thursday, April 25, 2024
    5-7 p.m.
    Blue Earth County Historical Society
    424 Warren St.
    Mankato, MN 56001


    PAC/TAC Meetings

    • TAC meeting, Nov 25 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
    • PAC meeting, Nov 26 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.


    Past Public Events

    The Hispanic Heritage Festival

    Immerse yourself in culture through music, interactive displays, food, crafts and various entertainment! The Hispanic Heritage Festival welcomes everyone to partake in this annual outdoor fall festival hosted by Hispanic Outreach of Goodhue County. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and stay for the afternoon.

    September 14, noon to 6 p.m.
    Central Park, Red Wing MN

    52nd Annual Traditional Mahkato Wacipi

    The Mahkato Mdewakanton Association is a gathering of nations to celebrate and honor our traditions and ancestors; to reconcile and build bridges between all nations through education, storytelling, and sharing Dakota Indian culture.

    Saturday September 21, noon to 6 p.m.
    Land of Memories Park, Mankato MN

    2024 Minnesota State Fair

    MnDOT hosted a booth during the 12 days of summer fun at the “Great Minnesota Get-Together,” the annual Minnesota State Fair is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the region.

    August 22 - September 2
    State Fairgrounds, St Paul

    The Black Market

    The Black Market is a black-business marketplace open to and welcoming of all. We curate, organize and operate a monthly market, "The Black Busines Is Beautiful", a marketplace sponsored by The Lab.

    August 10, 2 - 6 p.m., 767 North Eustis Street, Saint Paul
    More info: Black Market Events

    Union Depot Train Days

    A free celebration of trains and transportation! Train Days includes train equipment tours, a vendor marketplace, model trains, concessions, family friendly activities and more.

    June 1 - June 2 - St Paul Union Depot
    More info: 2024 Train Days

    Final Spike Anniversary Steam Tour

    A public event sponsored by Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) to celebrate the connection of 3 nations via rail. Observe the 2816 Empress Steam train on display in St. Paul. Admission to Union Depot for this event is free, and the public will have the opportunity to see the 2816 up close, learn more about the locomotive and CPKC’s history. The Puffer Belly Express mini-train, a quarter scale steam locomotive model will also be on location.

    May 3 - St Paul Union Depot
    More info: Final Spike!

    Other events

    Rail stakeholder engagement activities included:

    • Advisory committee meetings
    • Stakeholder interviews
    • Focus groups and workshops
    • Workplace-based outreach

    Annual Minnesota Regional Railroads Conference:

    On July 16,2024 MnDOT presented regarding the State Rail Plan project at the Minnesota Regional Railroads Association (MRRA) annual conference. MnDOT staff described the progress towards completing the update of the plan to date. Although this was not a public event, the ability of the project team to participate in the conference afforded MnDOT staff with an important opportunity to engage with the states Class 1 and Shortline railroads - a key audience and an important contributor to the planning process.



Page last updated: 19 Nov 2025, 10:45 AM