Transportation secretary coming to Minnesota to discuss DM&E
(AP) - U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters will travel to Minnesota next week for meetings on the expansion plan by the Dakota, Minnesota and Eastern Railroad.
Minnesota Sen. Norm Coleman announced the visit. Coleman says he'll accompany Peters on her trip to Rochester on Monday.
The DM&E is seeking approval for a $2.3 billion loan from the Transportation Department's Federal Railroad Administration.
The Mayo Clinic and the city of Rochester oppose the project, arguing the increased rail traffic could threaten the safety of the clinic's patients.
Coleman says he will try to block the project unless a mitigation plan is offered by the end of the year.
(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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