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City of <br />Elk <br />River <br />City of Elk River <br />City Council <br />Resolution 2 1 - <br />A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Elk River Supporting Rail <br />Passenger Service Improvements <br />WHEREAS, the MnDOT State Rail Plan includes a proposed 21id Passenger Train <br />frequency (21id train) between the Twin Cities and Chicago for which design planning is <br />completed. This new service between the Twin Cities, Milwaukee and Chicago utilizes the <br />current route of Amtrak's Empire Builder at speeds up to 79 miles an hour; and <br />WHEREAS, the State of Minnesota was awarded a Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and <br />Safety Improvement (CRISI) grant in 2020 totaling $31.8 million for infrastructure <br />improvements along the existing freight railroad's right-of-way to enable the 21id train; and <br />WHEREAS, the State of Minnesota needs to provide $10 million in matching funds to <br />receive the CRISI grant; and <br />WHEREAS, once the 2' train service is operational, we believe its success would allow <br />the expansion of passenger rail to our community per the MnDOT state rail plan; and <br />WHEREAS, freight railroads will benefit from the capital investment needed for Twin <br />Cities daytime service to Fargo/Moorhead, enabling greater freight train speeds, reducing <br />railroad congestion; and <br />WHEREAS, Elk River residents are mainly reliant upon highways today for travel and <br />more passenger rail service would expand transportation options to the east and west of our <br />city for our residents who cannot or don't want to drive or fly; and <br />WHEREAS, the 2nd train alone will benefit Minnesota's economy by an estimated $25 <br />million annually, by supporting and increasing jobs, tourism, and creating a more economical <br />travel choice, and for every one dollar invested in passenger rail service, it generates three <br />dollars in every community served; and <br />WHEREAS, many states in the Midwest and around the country are investing in more <br />passenger rail service as they realize the economic and mobility benefits of such services. <br />Some of these states include but are not limited to: Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, <br />Ohio, Virginia, California, Oregon, Maine, North Carolina. <br />NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Elk <br />River, Minnesota, that it hereby supports funding the proposed 2' Passenger Train <br />