Oct 15, 2021 - News

What the Midwest Regional Rail Plan could mean for Twin Cities travel

A route map for the Federal Railroad Administration's newly released Midwest Regional Rail Plan.

Image: Federal Railroad Administration

The Twin Cities would be a main pillar under the Federal Railroad Administration's newly released Midwest Regional Rail Plan.

Zoom out: The plan would make Chicago the hub of the Midwest, with four pillar locations — Twin Cities, Detroit, St. Louis, and Indianapolis — that would have high frequency service.

Why it matters: Daily service to Chicago (and Milwaukee and Madison, Wisconsin) would jump from one daily trip on the Amtrak Empire Builder to a much more frequent and fast schedule.

  • It would also make it faster and easier to travel from here to other Midwest cities.

Yes, but: Don't book that trip just yet. As the Chicago Tribune notes, the concept is only in the early stages and is intended to be a 40-year framework.

  • It also depends on state and federal funding.
avatar

Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Twin Cities.

🌱

Support local journalism by becoming a member.

Learn more

More Twin Cities stories

No stories could be found

Twin Citiespostcard

Get a free daily digest of the most important news in your backyard with Axios Twin Cities.

🌱

Support local journalism by becoming a member.

Learn more