Monticello Subdivision

BNSF Railway Monticello Subdivision
Legend Former continuation northwest Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant 35.5 mi Monticello 26.9 Albertville 20.6 Rogers 11.6 Osseo Brooklyn Park Crystal CP Paynesville Subdivision 5.1 Robbinsdale 1.7 MW Junctionto UP Golden Valley Industrial Lead Golden Valley 0.0 mi Lyndale Junctionto Wayzata Subdivision

The Monticello Subdivision or Monticello Sub is a railway branch line that runs from the Wayzata Subdivision in Minneapolis to Monticello, Minnesota. Formerly operated by the Great Northern Railway and then Burlington Northern, it is now operated by BNSF Railway. It largely runs parallel to Broadway and Hennepin County Road 81 from Minneapolis to Rogers, and then Interstate 94 from Rogers to Monticello.^[1] Rails formerly continued on from today's Monticello Subdivision farther to the northwest along today's I-94 corridor all the way to Moorhead, Minnesota. It had been used for passenger service, such as with the Alexandrian (named for Alexandria, Minnesota).^[2]

This is a low-volume line, only seeing about two trains per day. Most rail activity on the line takes place south of Albertville. Farther north, the main purpose of the line is to serve the Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant. Union Pacific Railroad has trackage rights on the line from its southern end at Lyndale Junction to MW Junction, which connects to UP's Golden Valley Industrial Lead.^[1]

The Bottineau Boulevard Transitway, in early planning stages as a light rail line, will use part of the Monticello Subdivision corridor to run trains.

References

1. Cambridge Systematics, Inc. (July 31, 2009). "Minnesota Comprehensive Statewide Freight and Passenger Rail Plan: Freight Rail Supply and Demand – Draft technical memorandum" (PDF). Minnesota Department of Transportation. Retrieved September 21, 2010.
2. "Named GN Passenger Trains: Lines East". Great Northern Empire. Retrieved September 21, 2010.