ST. PAUL, MN—Rep. Pat Garofalo, R-Farmington, announced Sunday his plan to introduce legislation next session to block MnDOT from moving forward with a proposed high-speed "zip line" that would run between MSP International Airport and Rochester. The proposed line is expected to cost more than a billion dollars, and would likely run through the district Garofalo represents.
"It's time to put a stop to government wasting hundreds of thousands, if not millions of dollars on studies and other plans for this California-style boondoggle." Garofalo said. "With an expected one-way fare of $30, zip line is not a priority for Minnesota families, and it's appalling that Minnesota taxpayers continue to be forced to foot the bill as big government types push forward against the will of local residents."
Garofalo pointed to a heated meeting that took place on July 31st in Kenyon, Minnesota, where hundreds of residents packed the Kenyon-Wanamingo High School gymnasium in overwhelming opposition to the project.
Garofalo said his legislation mirrors a similar law passed in 2002 that barred MnDOT from moving forward on the proposed Dan Patch line that would run from Minneapolis to Northfield, with stops in St. Louis Park, Edina, Bloomington, Savage, Burnsville, and Lakeville. The 2002 law was authored by former state senators William Belanger from Bloomington and Roy Terwilliger from Edina in response to overwhelming local opposition.
"Minnesotans are tired of being forced to support trains that they don't want, don't need and certainly don't wish to pay for." Garofalo continued. "A better use of these funds is to make Highway 52 a safer roadway. The legislation I will author will put an end to this wasteful project and stop bureaucrats from forcing this rail line through communities where it is not wanted."