>>1922070Both the problem with Rochester is there isn't currently a direct MSP-Rochester rail bed. That means either total reroute along the Mississippi corridor or up through Owatonna/Faribault, or building a brand new line. In the case of the former, the time to travel between the two cities will be an axe to the project. In the case of the latter, they're probably going to want to build as a Class 7 or 8 rail line.
>pic related, South East MNContrast this with NLX environmental, engineering, and ridership surveys, which were done well over a decade ago, and with the land ownership already secured from existing railroads. NLX as a project was just waiting for funds to actually start construction, which is why the state greenlit it. Keep in mind St Cloud extension for Northstar is going to probably be the next big rail project in MN, since the aforementioned surveys and quotes are being handled right now.
