The Minnesota Intermodal Railroad Terminal Study (MIRTS) was formed in June of 1993 to evaluate the need for new or expanded intermodal terminal facilities in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. MIRTS is a public/private partnership originally made up of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF), Canadian Pacific Railway (CP), the Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) and the Metropolitan (Met) Council. Union Pacific Railroad (UP) joined later in anticipation of extending their service to the Twin Cities area.
MIRTS completed a study in February 1995; concluding that the region needs to more than double its intermodal terminal capacity. This would require construction of new facilities. MIRTS then investigated the feasibility of creating a joint facility large enough to meet the Twin Cities' intermodal shipping needs to the year 2012. In November 1995, MIRTS identified one area in Cottage Grove and two in Rosemount as viable locations for a new multi-user, intermodal terminal in the metro area. MIRTS consulted with staff from the three local railroads and its eighteen-member advisory committee - made up of local manufacturers, shippers, municipalities, academics, transportation professionals and potential users - before making these selections.
This report establishes a model for terminal investment and examines the terminal's possible effect upon local communities and the public highway and private railroad infrastructure.
