Infrastructure
The Rochester MSA serves as a regional transportation hub serving southeastern Minnesota, northern Iowa, and western Wisconsin with vital road, rail, and air service links to national and foreign destinations.
Air Transportation
The Rochester International Airport is located 7 miles south of Rochester in the heart of the Rochester MSA. The U.S. Customs Service maintains an office at the airport for both foreign passengers and cargo.
Two major airline carriers serve the Rochester International Airport. American Airlines flies all jet aircraft to and from Chicago daily, and Delta Air Lines flies all jet aircraft to and from Minneapolis and Atlanta daily, connecting more than 200,000 passengers a year to nearly 300 domestic and international destinations.
Signature Flight Support, a full service Fixed Base Operator (FBO), provides services for corporate and general aviation aircraft.
The Rochester International Airport has a business center that includes a hotel, restaurant, event center, offices and additional space for future development.
- Runways:2
- Runway 13/31
- Width #1 150 Feet
- Strength #1: S120, D0250, ST-400, DT-890, PCR VALUE: 890/R/D/W/T
- Surface #1: Concrete Grooved
- Runway 03/21
- Width #2: 150 Feet
- Strength #2: S-120, D-250, ST-370, DT-890, PCR VALUE: 890/F/D/X/T
- Surface #2: Wire Combed
- Elevation: 1,317 MSL
- ARFF Rating: Index B
- Fuel Available: 100 LL Jet A
- FAA Control Tower: 5 am -11 pm
- Lighting: ALSF and MALSR; Cat II ILS
- Instruments Cat II ILS, Cat I ILS, VOR; Radar ASR; 3 PAPI; VASI; REIL Rwy 03 and 21
Federal Express conducts daily operations at the Rochester International Airport. RST has over 330,000 square feet of useable cargo building and ramp space with the opportunity to expand up to 730,000 square feet.
Roadway
Traversing the entire Rochester MSA is east/west bound Interstate 90. In addition, three major U.S. highways intercept in Rochester.
- U.S. Highway 52 heads north to the Twin Cities and south to eastern Iowa.
- U.S. Highway 63 leads north towards northern Wisconsin and south to central Iowa.
- U.S. Highway 14 crosses the state of Minnesota to the west and enters Wisconsin at LaCrosse.
In addition, there are many 10-ton secondary roads throughout the MSA.
Railroad
Rochester is located on the east-west route of the Dakota Minnesota and Eastern (DM&E) railroad. Daily rail freight service is available in Rochester by the DM&E (see map). The nearest Amtrak station is located in Winona, one hour (45 miles) east of Rochester. Several key development sites in Byron, Eyota, and Rochester are located on or near the main line or spurs.
The DM&E is willing to participate with economic development incentives for prospective businesses requiring rail service including spur development and car moving equipment.