ST. PAUL - The traveling public, transportation stakeholders, rail providers and local government officials are invited to provide input for the The Minnesota Department of Transportation's (MnDOT) 2009 Comprehensive Statewide Freight and Passenger Rail Plan.

Minnesota's final open house for public input will be held from 5-7 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 22, at the Best Western in North Mankato, 1111 Range St.

Public input will be presented to advisory and steering committees, key community, industry and government officials next month.

A statewide rail plan will be completed by year;s end.

The plan will be presented to the Minnesota Legislature and entered into required state and federal reviews in January 2010.

Mandated by the 2008 Minnesota Legislature, the plan will provide guidance for statewide rail initiatives, investments and make Minnesota eligible for federal funding.

A draft plan will identify:

An overall vision for effective use of the state's rail network and its future development.

Public and private roles for the use of rail in the state transportation system.

Priority inter-city and high-speed passenger rail corridors for travel within and beyond Minnesota.

Ways to enhance national and international freight access to markets, services and logistics.

Measures and guidelines for public investments in rail assets and services.

Requirements for Minnesota's participation in national rail initiatives, programs and resources.

Following a brief presentation on the planning process, MnDOT officials and national rail consultants will discuss current and future rail programs, answer questions and take input.

For more information including providing online input, visit www.dot.state.mn.us/planning/railplan/

(Fritz Busch can be e-mailed at fbusch@nujournal.com).