Minnesota would seek federal support to plan two passenger rail routes

Minnesota's transportation commissioner would apply to the Federal Railroad Administration's Corridor Identification and Development Program to plan two passenger rail routes. Planning would cover extending service from St. Paul to Fargo, North Dakota, and establishing service to Kansas City, Missouri, through Northfield, Albert Lea, and Des Moines, Iowa. The commissioner would complete the program's first planning stage for both routes only after a successful application and an award of federal development funds. The requirement would take effect the day after final enactment.

Minnesota would set aside $1 million from its general fund for passenger rail projects, planning, staffing, state matching funds for federal grants, and grants to local governments. Eligible work includes projects on Phase I routes in the 2015 state rail plan, the required applications and first-stage planning, and state matches for federal grants to prepare service development plans. The money could cover only Minnesota's share of project costs. Local government grants would support planning consistent with the state rail plan, including cost estimates, engineering, and environmental studies. The funding provision would take effect the day after final enactment. The money would be set aside for fiscal year 2026.