HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 397-11 F1'3
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• RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, our reliance on oil-fueled airplanes and automobiles for intercity travel hurts
the Midwest economy especially with the rising price of oil; and,
WHEREAS, fast, convenient and affordable travel is needed to facilitate a strong and
vibrant economy; and,
WHEREAS, an integrated network of 220-mph bullet trains and 90-110 mph regional
trains linking communities across the Midwest would transform the way we travel and do
business by making travel more affordable and better connecting our business, manufacturing,
agricultural, medical and research, and development centers; and,
WHEREAS, high-speed trains would strengthen our economy, drive productivity in the
region's existing commercial arenas, encourage job growth and help foster potential for
business investment, entrepreneurship, technology development and advanced
manufacturing; and,
WHEREAS, the investment in a high-speed train network would lower our consumption
of foreign oil, saving nearly 130 million gallons of gasoline a year; and,
• WHEREAS, the construction of a high-speed network would create nearly 300,000
high-quality construction, engineering and manufacturing jobs; and,
WHEREAS, a high-speed rail between Rochester and Chicago would make the 372-
mile trip in two hours and 15 minutes with hourly departures each way; and,
WHEREAS, a recent study published by the Midwest High Speed Rail Association
found that development of a high-speed rail corridor from the Twin Cities to Chicago through
Rochester would attract the highest projected ridership of all the Chicago hub corridors and
deliver substantial economic benefits.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City of Rochester Common Council that it
does hereby support an integrated network of high-speed trains as a key to economic
development, job creation and fuel consumption reduction.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council calls on Congress to fund the
development of viable passenger rail projects through the federal high speed rail program in the
2012 budget.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council calls on Congress to include a program to
develop an integrated network of high-speed train service in the upcoming transportation
thorization.
• PASSED AND ADOPTED BY THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
ROCHESTER, MINNESOTA, THIS IS7ri D YLF -r 2011.
PRESIDENT OF SAID COMMON COUNCIL
ATTEST: J
CtFY CLERK
APPROVED THIS DAY OFA�Iar , 2011.
MAYOR OF SAID CITY
(Seal of the City of
Rochester, Minnesota)
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Resi Mupport.HighSpeedRail
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