News | Great River Rail

GRR Admin
- Apr 13, 2021

Winona Council expresses unanimous support for second daily train

Winona Daily News - April 8, 2021

The Winona City Council has unanimously expressed its approval for the Twin Cities-Milwaukee-Chicago (TCMC) Second Train. While praising simply having a second Amtrak train running through town, councilmember and Great River Rail Commission member Steve Young called it an infrastructure upgrade. “This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to have incredible dollars invested,” Young said. He mentioned, too, that if the train is approved, there would be $19 million-worth of rail upgrades in Winona and $20 million-worth of rail upgrades in La Crescent.

Biden plan could boost Amtrak potential to Chicago, Duluth

Star Tribune - April 10, 2021

When Cass Casarez visits family in Wisconsin, the trip involves either hitching a ride, taking an Amtrak train or riding a bus. The St. Paul barista prefers the train, but eastbound and westbound rail options for Minnesotans are limited now. Amtrak service nationwide could improve and expand for the first time in decades if President Joe Biden has his way — and the possibilities include an additional round-trip daily train between the Twin Cities and Chicago, as well as revived rail service to Duluth. They're projects that have lingered for years without action, mostly due to a lack of funding.

Public comment sought on Twin Cities-Chicago rail

Hometown Focus - April 2, 2021

The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) are seeking public input on proposed intercity passenger rail service improvements for the Twin Cities-Milwaukee-Chicago corridor. “Increasing capacity and reliability on the Twin Cities- Milwaukee-Chicago passenger train route will create economic growth in corridor communities while providing a safe and reliable transportation alternative and benefitting local freight system,” said Mn- DOT Commissioner Margaret Anderson Kelliher. “Passenger rail service is also essential to an equitable transportation system–increasing access to jobs, colleges and communities along this critical Minnesota corridor.”