The Washington County Regional Railroad Authority (WCRRA) is the Washington County government entity charged with the preservation and improvement of local rail service. The WCRRA focuses on passenger rail but has authority to improve rail for agriculture and industry uses as well. This governing body also provides for the preservation of abandoned rail right-of-way for future transportation uses.
Need for WCRRA
Washington County is experiencing increased population growth, with an anticipated growth rate of 30 percent in the next 20 years. This growth, along with the existing population, needs to utilize the existing transportation system and its future improvements for moving from place to place. To accommodate the changing transportation needs of the County, the WCRRA:
- Recognizes the need for additional transportation investments and that transit will play an increasingly important role in maintaining the high quality of life enjoyed by county residents;
- Will provide for the implementation of future transit at the least possible cost to county residents and takes a proactive approach to acquiring property; and
- Is responsible for advocating thecounty's position in rail transit studies taking place throughout the Twin Cities, which combine the multiple corridors into a single system.
WCRRA Board of Commissioners
The WCRRA Board of Commissioners is the governing body that oversees the operations of the WCRRA and is comprised of the Washington County Board of Commissioners. When it is necessary to hold a WCRRA board meeting, the WCRRA Board holds its meetings in conjunction with the Washington County Board meetings.
Regional Railroad State Law
The state law that allowed Washington County to create a Regional Railroad Authority was passed in 1980. The Regional Railroad Authority State Statue can be found here. Some of these powers are highlighted below:
- Ability to acquire real and personal property within or outside its taxing jurisdiction.
- Ability to hold, manage, control, sell, convey, lease, mortgage, or otherwise dispose of property.
- Ability to apply for state and federal funds.
- Ability to tax.
- Ability to exercise eminent domain.
- Ability to collect a fee for use of its property.
For more information about the WCRRA, please contact Ted Schoenecker at 651-430-4300 or by email.
