A second round of statewide public meetings about the 2015 update of the Minnesota State Rail Plan begins Wednesday, including three meetings in southeastern Minnesota communities, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

The plan integrates the latest information about the four active passenger rail projects, possible new passenger rail corridors for regional intercity travel, freight commodity flows and trends, and freight and passenger rail project lists for planning and investment purposes.

The first round of 10 open houses, held in October and November 2014, drew more than 350 stakeholders.

The second round will be to discuss the components of the draft plan update and the results of MnDOT’s outreach effort to date and to receive further input on the draft planning document and its direction.

The open houses, arranged by local representatives, will follow the same general format as the first round. MnDOT personnel and local representatives will be invited to present the information and answer questions. The open houses will be held through Feb. 10.

A draft of the plan is available for the public’s review on MnDOT’s statewide rail plan website.

The Minnesota State Rail Plan covers the state’s freight and passenger rail system. It provides guidance and priorities for state transportation decisions to ensure that efficient, competitive services are available to rail customers and to enhance freight access to local and global markets, said Dave Christianson, senior rail planner.

The plan aligns with other MnDOT planning documents, including Minnesota GO, the Statewide Multimodal Transportation Plan, and the Minnesota State Highway Investment Plan, to provide a framework for effective use of the state’s and the region’s freight and passenger rail network and its future development.

Public outreach meetings will include an overview of the current plan, along with anticipated passenger and freight rail expansions in the near- and long-term future.

Meetings scheduled are:

5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Red Wing City Hall, Council Chambers, 315 W. 4th St., Red Wing

1 to 3 p.m. Thursday, Mankato Intergovernmental Center, 10 Civic Center Plaza, Mankato

5 to 7 p.m. Jan. 26, Winona City Hall, Council Chambers, 207 Lafayette St., Winona

5 to 7 p.m. Jan. 29, St. Cloud Public Library, Room 106, 1300 W. Saint Germain St., St. Cloud

Noon to 2 p.m. Feb. 2, Minnesota Department of Transportation, G13, 395 John Ireland Blvd., St. Paul (follows the Passenger Rail Forum from 10 a.m. to noon)

5 to 7 p.m. Feb. 2, Carleton College, Weitz Center for Creativity, Larson Room, College and 3rd St. East, Northfield

5 to 7 p.m. Feb. 3, Duluth Union Depot, Great Hall,506 W. Michigan St., Duluth

5 to 7 p.m. Feb. 5, Chippewa Valley Technical College, Business Education Center, 620 W. Clairemont Ave, Casper Conference Center, Room 103A, Eau Claire, Wisconsin

3 to 4:30 p.m. Feb. 10, Minnesota Department of Transportation, Room G13-14, 395 John Ireland Blvd, St. Paul (formal public hearing; testimony only)

The public can make comments in-person or by emailing StateRailPlan.dot@state.mn.us or filling out the public comment form online at dot.state.mn.us/ofrw/freight/railplan.html.