Amtrak's Borealis Success Fuels Rail Expansion Hopes

Proposed St. Paul to Kansas City route would connect to Amtrak's national network.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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The success of Amtrak's Borealis route to Chicago has passenger rail advocates proposing a new route from St. Paul to Kansas City. This would eliminate the need for riders to travel east to Chicago and then catch a different train westbound. The proposed route would connect to Amtrak's long-distance network, giving people a direct north-south connection.

Why it matters

The proposed route would improve connectivity to Amtrak's national network, making it easier for passengers to travel between the Midwest and destinations across the country. It could also spur further rail expansion and investment in the region.

The details

To make the St. Paul to Kansas City route a reality, two bills need to pass the Minnesota state legislature. These bills would direct the Minnesota Department of Transportation to apply for federal funding to study the corridor and negotiate service with Union Pacific Railroad, which owns the rail line. If approved, the project could take between three to seven years to complete.

  • Amtrak's successful Borealis route to Chicago launched in recent years.
  • The proposed St. Paul to Kansas City route is currently in the early planning stages.

The players

Amtrak

The national passenger railroad company of the United States.

All Aboard Minnesota

A passenger rail advocacy group that is proposing the new St. Paul to Kansas City route.

Brian Nelson

A representative from All Aboard Minnesota who is advocating for the proposed rail expansion.

Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT)

The state transportation agency that would need to apply for federal funding to study the proposed corridor.

Union Pacific Railroad

The railroad company that owns the rail line that would be used for the proposed St. Paul to Kansas City route.

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What they’re saying

“One of the major reasons is that it would connect with the Amtrak long distance network from Chicago to Los Angeles and Chicago to San Francisco. We'd connect with those long distance trains giving people a direct North-South connection.”

— Brian Nelson, Representative, All Aboard Minnesota (WCCO Radio)

“What those bills would do, is direct MNDOT to apply to the Federal Railroad Administration for the corridor ID program to begin studying those corridors, which would, if approved, allow the state to apply for federal matching dollars to implement that service.”

— Brian Nelson, Representative, All Aboard Minnesota (WCCO Radio)

“To apply for those federal dollars that I mentioned, then it would be a matter of sitting down with Union Pacific Railroad, which owns the line to negotiate the service.”

— Brian Nelson, Representative, All Aboard Minnesota (WCCO Radio)

What’s next

If the two state bills pass, MnDOT would apply for federal funding to study the proposed St. Paul to Kansas City rail corridor. If approved, the state could then negotiate with Union Pacific Railroad to implement the new service.

The takeaway

The success of Amtrak's Borealis route has sparked hopes for further rail expansion in the Midwest, with a proposed St. Paul to Kansas City connection that would improve access to Amtrak's national network. While still in the early planning stages, this project could enhance regional connectivity and spur additional investment in passenger rail if it comes to fruition.