Slow Start For Duluth Commuter Rail

Duluth, MN is testing whether commuter rail might be a viable alternative to driving in a medium-sized, relatively uncongested metro area.

1 minute read

May 25, 2005, 10:00 AM PDT

By Abhijeet Chavan @http://twitter.com/legalaidtech


Commuter rail, used in many locations throughout the country as an attempt to alleviate traffic congestion, is undergoing a trial run in Duluth, MN. Duluth is a relatively uncongested metropolitan area for much of the year, but retains significant amounts of rail infrastructure that enable it to perform this trial run. "While the idea might be great, it's not yet clear if the time has come for commuter rail service in Duluth, where traffic jams are minimal and downtown parking still relatively inexpensive."The use of rail as a transportation alternative in medium-sized metropolitan areas is often a novel choice, but can be difficult to make cost-effective given the low cost of driving and parking.

Thanks to Adam Fulton

Wednesday, May 25, 2005 in Duluth News

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

November 11, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

A road in north eastern Nebraska with power lines on either side, and grassy fields.

Eastern Nebraska is running out of electricity

Data centers and electrification are straining eastern Nebraska’s grid, throttling economic development.

November 6, 2026 - Grist

People walking and cycling on a street in Boston.

Study reveals best places in the U.S. for cycling, walking

New research from Streetlight Data examines bicycle and pedestrian miles per capita in the 100 largest U.S. cities by population.

November 8, 2026 - Smart Cities Dive

Mamdani speaks behind a podium in a navy suit.

DSA members accuse Mamdani of 'abandoning values' over housing redevelopment

New York City's mayor plans to replace about 2,000 units of public housing with private, mixed-income housing.

November 12 - Gothamist

Streetview of Colorado boulevard, a multi-lane road with trees on either side.

All sides of BRT debate unhappy with CDOT’s most recent move

The Colorado Department of Transportation is no longer considering center-running bus lanes for Colorado Boulevard.

November 12 - 9 News

Solar panels above a cranberry boy, with workers collecting berries.

Massachusetts bogs generate both power, and cranberries

Putting solar panels above farmland is one way Massachusetts is advancing toward its goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

November 12 - Grist

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.