High-speed rail between Duluth, Twin Cities metro clears hurdle

An environmental assessment of a proposed high-speed rail line that would connect the Twin Cities and Duluth finds no major obstacles to the project, Finance & Commerce reports.

However, noise from the 155-mile corridor would still affect more than 300 homeowners and safeguards would have to put in place with trains capable of traveling up to 110 miles per hour.

Supporters of the project say the report is a key milestone, but there are still gaps in funding the $820 million Northern Lights Express.

"It allows us to then proceed, if everything's approved, proceed with designing the project," Bob Manzoline, executive director of the St. Louis and Lake Counties Regional Rail Authority, told Minnesota Public Radio.