Some Lawmakers Seek End to Moratorium on South Metro Commuter Rail Line

Some local lawmakers have been agitating to renew discussion about returning passenger service to the Dan Patch rail line, which connected the Twin Cities to Northfield and ran through Lakeville, St. Louis Park, Edina and other metro cities until 1942

The railway was built in part to bring tourists to Savage to see the famous race horse for which the line was named.

The line still carries freight trains, but a 2002 law put a moratorium on attempts to re-institute passenger service, preventing the Met Council from studying, planning, designing or constructing a commuter line, according to Minnesota Public Radio.

But some lawmakers have said that the moratorium is stifling conversation and are taking action to repeal it.

State Sen. Kevin Dahle, DFL-Northfield, has introduced legislation to repeal the moratorium.

"It was one of the first things I had taken up," he told Minnesota Public Radio. "We did get it out of the House and Senate once, but it was vetoed by Gov. Pawlenty."

Northfield City Council member Suzie Nakasian also said she's perturbed by the ban on discussion.

"We shouldn't settle policy by gags," she told MPR. "We should look at all options and see where taxpayers' money is best spent. ...I just don't think putting a prohibition that holds the rest of us hostage is quite fair, or the way to do it."

The Met Council is also opposed to a blanket ban on discussion of a commuter rail line.

"The Council supports lifting the prohibition because it is an impediment to regional planning," spokeswoman Bonnie Kollodge wrote in an email to MPR. "That's not a statement about the corridor itself, but rather a statement in support of being able to plan transit for the region without restrictions on specific corridors. The Council will obviously act according to the law."

But state Rep. Ron Erhardt, DFL-Edina, a sponsor of the 2002 moratorium, stands by his legislation.

"It runs through a lot of backyards," Erhardt said. "You'd have to acquire a lot of right-of-way, and the other commuter lines are not successful."