The Great River Rail Commission invites you to explore the amazing destinations along the Mississippi River Route. From charming towns to vibrant cities, each stop offers something unique—including everything from lively local festivals to captivating Jazz performances. We've compiled a list of exciting activities to help you plan your journey.
Download the guide and start creating your perfect River Route itinerary today!
WisDOT provided an update on the Twin Cities–Milwaukee–Chicago (TCMC) corridor improvement project at the Great River Rail Commission’s May 7 meeting – otherwise known as track and signal improvements. Environmental review is complete and permitting is underway, while final design work continues — the team is currently responding to comments on 90% plans, refining cost estimates, and drafting construction agreements. Right-of-way offers to property owners are also underway. Construction is not expected to begin until 2027–2028, with more detailed updates promised later this year.
On the ridership front, the Borealis train is showing strong momentum, carrying 17,213 passengers in April 2026 — a 10.8% increase over April 2025 — and improving its on-time performance to 75%, up from 70% a year ago. The Empire Builder also continues to grow, reaching 24,100 riders in March.
Looking ahead, all four WisDOT-sponsored Corridor ID projects are expected to advance to Step 2 later this year, including plans for a second daily round-trip on the Twin Cities–Milwaukee–Chicago route and expanded Hiawatha service between Milwaukee, Chicago, and Green Bay. Also entering Step 2 is the Milwaukee-Madison-Eau Claire-Twin Cities Corridor Service.
Ridership
Trains are carrying more passengers
Both corridor trains are seeing solid ridership in early 2026.
Borealis (Saint Paul - Chicago)
January
12,482
February
13,378
March
17,513
April
17,213
UP 10.8% year-over-year
On-time performance improved to 75% in April (up from 70% in April 2025).
Empire Builder (Chicago - Seattle/Portland)
January
22.2K
February
22.9K
March
24.1K
Also, the State Rail Plan was completed by the Minnesota Department of Transportation and released on Tuesday, May 5. It addresses both freight and passenger rail for the next 20 years. The report is available for review at.www.dot.state.mn.us/planning/railplan.
Great River Rail Commission
MEDIA RELEASE
Contact:
Great River Rail Commission
Kevin Roggenbuck, Senior Transportation Planner,
Ramsey County Regional Railroad Authority
(651) 266-2790
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 31, 2025
Amtrak is announcing a revised long-distance fleet replacement strategy that will focus on fleet standardization, encouraging competition in carbuilders, reducing risk, and accelerating the replacement of aging cars. This new plan is built on a switch to uniform single-level cars, replacing the current fleet of bi-level and single-level cars.
This announcement comes after extensive analysis of the challenges of employing a hybrid fleet along with industry feedback on new bi-level cars. The feedback for Amtrak’s original Request for Proposal stated that a bi-level semi-permanently coupled trainset would be too expensive, risky and complicated to deliver in an effective manner.
“This new approach will deliver a more consistent and accessible customer experience across the Amtrak network while maintaining our commitment to introduce the first new long-distance cars in the early 2030s,” said Amtrak President Roger Harris. “Thanks to support from FRA Administrator David Fink and the entire Federal Railroad Administration team, Amtrak’s long-distance fleet replacement is moving forward more effectively and efficiently than originally planned.”
Amtrak will soon reissue a Request for Proposals, this time focusing on uniform, single-level cars in order to speed up the process while expanding the list of potential carbuilders and reducing risk. Amtrak designers told the Rail Passengers Association that the intent is to retain the same key features and accommodations as the superliners in their new, single-level cars.
Many of Amtrak’s current long-distance railcars were delivered more than 40 years ago. Amtrak will continue to evaluate the condition of the existing fleet, assess remaining service life, and determine any life extension measures necessary to ensure safe and reliable operations until the new long-distance fleet enters service. Amtrak remains committed to introducing the first new long-distance cars in the early 2030s.
