NLX Northern Lights Express HSR MN Duluth-Twin Cities

Moderator Note: Keep in mind, this thread is for current proposals for Twin Cities to Twin Ports rail only, specifically the government-funded Northern Lights Express. Unless there’s a privately-backed rail proposal analogous to Zip Rail (MSP-Rochester) that I’m unaware of - not just ideas in our heads - we’re done with that side topic.

retraced (thanks for moving that link into a new topic)

It is with great sadness to report that the proposed Northern Lights Express between St. Paul and Duluth is officially dead, as it was rejected $80 million in funding by a Minnesota Senator who compared funding the route to funding "buggy whips".
I can't help but feel that this showcases the flaws of state/federally operated passenger service, since an anti-rail politician can easily cancel the project based on flawed viewpoints. Furthermore, privately owned companies such as Brightline are not subject to this political backlog and can gain much more funding from the private sector.

https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews ... -proposal/

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Minnesota’s state Senate has blocked efforts to launch passenger rail service between the Twin Cities and Duluth, passing a budget amendment by a senator who said the idea was “like asking us to spend money on buggy whips.”

Minnesota Public Radio reports the amendment by Sen. David Osmek (R-Mound, Minn.) prohibits the state transportation commissioner and the Metropolitan Council, the governing body for the Twin Cities region, from spending any money on the proposed Northern Lights Express.

The amendment passed by a 35-31 vote; a larger funding bill then passed 40-26.

Oh no, what will the dozens of potential weekly riders do?....

This is hardly unexpected if you follow Minnesota politics. It's essentially a red state with a couple of blue pockets, and there's no appetite for trains to run between the blue pockets...

eolesen wrote: ↑Tue May 03, 2022 6:51 pm This is hardly unexpected if you follow Minnesota politics. It's essentially a red state with a couple of blue pockets, and there's no appetite for trains to run between the blue pockets...

Another, equally valid, way to say this is: Minnesota is a blue state that has red voters spread thinly around the periphery. This decision shows that the minority, mostly rural, party is disproportionately represented in St. Paul.

MSP + Duluth account for 76% of Minnesota’s economic output and 69% of the state’s population. Not working to provide these “blue pockets” with sustainable transportation options harms all Minnesotans.