ST. PAUL, Minn. — Governor Tim Walz has included $10.2 million in his two-year budget to put a second daily passenger train on the rails between Minneapolis-St.Paul, Milwaukee and Chicago via LaCrescent, Red Wing, Winona. The railroad item requires approval from the Legislature. as do other Walz infrastructure projects. A similar rail package didn’t receive legislative approval last year. The governor’s new budget would increase Minnesota’s contribution to match a federal grant for track and signal improvements in Winona and La Crescent. The particulars:
> $4.8 million beginning in 2025 as Minnesota’s share of operating costs.
> $3.1 million to match a federal grant for initial operating costs the first three years.
> $2.2 million for capital improvements on the corridor.
> $122,000 for project administration.
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