Governor Dayton’s Jobs Bill includes $124 million in rail safety investments, including $42 million in Moorhead
ST. PAUL, MN – Today, Lt. Governor Tina Smith and local elected officials visited the site of a proposed $42 million rail grade separation project in Moorhead. The current intersection poses a public safety risk, and causes regular delays for area residents and businesses. The project is one of the largest included in Governor Dayton’s 2016 Jobs Bill, which would make a total investment of $124 million in rail safety projects across Minnesota.
“Every day, Moorhead families, businesses, and first responders waste time and risk their safety at this intersection,” said Lt. Governor Smith. “Governor Dayton’s Jobs Bill would finally fix this rail crossing, making the community safer and the economy stronger.”
Five active freight rail lines run through the City of Moorhead, including two at the site of this intersection, at Main Ave and 21st Street. These five lines carried an average of 85 trains a day in 2014, including those carrying crude oil from North Dakota. Due to the current layout of the streets and train tracks, it is not even possible to install railroad gates at the current intersection.
“We’re very happy to see the Moorhead rail road underpass included in the Governor’s bonding proposal,” said Senator Kent Eken.“It’s clear that he and Lieutenant Governor Smith understand how important the project is to the region.”
Governor Dayton’s Jobs Bill would make the intersection safer for motorists, pedestrians, bicyclists, transit, residents, and businesses, by building rail underpasses to keep trains carrying oil and other hazardous materials away from people. The project would also build sidewalks and pathways for walkers and bikers, significantly improving pedestrian safety at the intersection.
“This rail infrastructure project will result in life saving improvements for first responders and an overall better quality of life for Moorhead residents,” said Representative Ben Lien. “I thank Governor Dayton and MnDOT for their continued commitment to this project.”
This investment would also enhance public safety by ensuring that emergency response vehicles – including police and fire vehicles – could reach those in need without being delayed by trains crossing the intersection. The delays caused by train traffic are as a significant safety issue, slowing down emergency services and first responders.
Investments in Rail and Pipeline Safety
Every day, trains carrying oil and other hazardous materials pass through our backyards. To improve rail safety, Governor Dayton’s Jobs Bill would invest $124 million in rail safety projects, including three major rail grade separations, warning systems at highway rail crossings and quiet zones, and new training centers.
- Highway Rail Separations – Governor Dayton’s Jobs Bill includes $69.6 million for highway rail grade separations in Moorhead, Prairie Island and Coon Rapids.
- Highway Rail Warnings – To help improve safety for trains and drivers, Governor Dayton’s proposal would provide $5 million to replace highway rail grade warning systems across the state.
- Quiet Zones Grants – To help improve safety and allow trains to run quietly, the Governor’s proposal would invest $10 million in a quiet zone competitive grant program for local communities.
- Rail and Pipeline Safety Training – Governor Dayton’s proposal would allocate $3.5 million for the construction of an oil train derailment and pipeline safety training venue at the Camp Ripley Joint Emergency Response Training Center.
- Minneapolis Emergency Training Facility – The Governor’s proposal would allocate $2.5 million for the expansion of Minneapolis’ Emergency Operations Training Facility to provide repetitive training for first responders in rail, gas, and electrical emergencies.
- New State Emergency Operations Center – Governor Dayton’s Jobs Bill would invest $33.3 million to construct a new State Emergency Operations Center, to help coordinate during disasters and emergencies and serve as a training center for emergency operations.
About Governor Dayton’s Jobs Bill
Governor Dayton’s Jobs Bill would invest $1.4 billion in infrastructure projects statewide, creating an estimated 39,900 Minnesota jobs. This new Jobs Bill would help address many of the state’s critical infrastructure needs, including essential water infrastructure, while strengthening Minnesota’s economy and putting thousands of people to work.
The Governor’s Jobs Bill includes critical infrastructure projects distributed across Minnesota. It balances the needs of the state, with 35 percent of projects in Greater Minnesota, 35 percent in the Twin Cities Area, and 30 percent having impacts statewide. And Governor Dayton’ Jobs Bill is designed to make state resources go further, by leveraging more than $600 million in private, local, and federal dollars.
You can learn more about Governor Dayton’s Jobs Bill by clicking here.
