St. Paul backs study of rail line to Kansas City
The St. Paul City Council has backed a resolution supporting a study of new passenger-rail service between St. Paul and Kansas City, building on the strong early performance of Amtrak’s Borealis line to Chicago, which reached 100,000 riders in under six months. The move signals city interest in making Union Depot a broader Midwest rail hub and in exploring another long-distance option for Twin Cities travelers beyond Chicago and existing Empire Builder service. While the resolution itself doesn’t fund or commit to a line, it positions St. Paul to be at the table as Amtrak, MnDOT and neighboring states weigh potential routes, costs and federal funding. Rail advocates online are already touting the idea as a way to connect the Twin Cities more directly to Kansas City and the central U.S., while skeptics are watching to see whether the concept has enough political and financial backing to move beyond the study stage.
📌 Key Facts
- St. Paul City Council approved a resolution supporting study of passenger rail between St. Paul and Kansas City
- The action follows Amtrak’s Borealis corridor to Chicago hitting 100,000 riders in under six months
- The proposed route would further leverage Union Depot as a regional rail hub if it advances beyond the study phase
📊 Relevant Data
The Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area accounted for 62.7% of Minnesota's population growth between 2018 and 2023.
Twin Cities drivers spent an average of 73 hours in traffic delays in 2024, up from 59 hours in 2019.
Traffic delays getting longer in Twin Cities area, new study shows — St. Cloud Times
The driving distance from Saint Paul, MN to Kansas City, MO is 438 miles.
Driving Distance from Saint Paul, MN to Kansas City, MO — Travelmath
Construction of the Minnesota Valley Regional Rail Authority rail line generated an estimated $7.9 million in economic activity, including $2.9 million in labor income.
Minnesota Valley Regional Rail Authority rail line — University of Minnesota Extension
📰 Source Timeline (1)
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