Will the stimulus bring a high-speed rail line to the Twin Cities?

All aboard
Minnesota lawmakers have had little success over the years in their attempts to get funding for a quick rail connection between the Twin Cities and Chicago.
MPR Photo/Dan Olson

President Barack Obama signed the $787 billion economic stimulus bill Tuesday afternoon and $8 billion is being dedicated to fund high-speed passanger rail. Such train lines hadn't been included as part of the stimulus plan until late in the negotiations.

Minnesota lawmakers have had little success over the years in their attempts to get funding for a quick rail connection between the Twin Cities and Chicago.

To find out whether any of this federal stimulus money could get that high-speed line on track to the Windy City, All Things Considered called State Senator Katie Sieben. Sieben is one of Minnesota's representatives on the Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Commission.

Create a More Connected Minnesota

MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.