State and local officials have received five $500,000 federal grants to explore expanding Amtrak passenger rail service from Milwaukee to Chicago, Green Bay, Madison, Eau Claire and the Twin Cities.
U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin announced Wednesday that five lines received planning and development grants through the Federal Railroad Administration. Corridor ID Program. The program is the first step toward leveraging $66 billion in rail expansion funding included in the bipartisan infrastructure bill.
“Passenger rail helps people get to work and school safely, promotes tourism and recreation, and grows local economies. We are proud to provide funding to support rail expansion in Wisconsin.” Baldwin said in a media release. .
Three of the selected routes will be new train service from Milwaukee to Green Bay, Madison and Eau Claire. His other two awards will consider expanding Amtrak’s existing operations. Hiawatha scheduleBetween Milwaukee and Chicago empire builder scheduleThe line connects the Twin Cities via Chicago and La Crosse.
Larry Ruff, a member of the advocacy group NEW Rails and a longtime supporter of Amtrak’s expansion into northeastern Wisconsin, said he was “really happy” to hear that the five Wisconsin projects were selected.
“I think it’s great that we can look to the future with federal planning dollars,” Ruev said.
Green Bay Mayor Eric Genrich touted the region’s selection, but also noted that Corridor ID is just the first stop on the region’s journey, not the end.
“We are excited that USDOT’s Corridor ID and Development Program includes an extension of passenger rail service to Green Bay,” Genrich said. “While this decision is not final, it is an important part of restoring passenger train service to Green Bay.”
Genrich said he looks forward to working with state and local officials and rail service supporters “to determine the best path forward for our community and region.”
Amtrak expansion connects Wisconsin’s largest region to Chicago, the Twin Cities
The five routes chosen for further study serve more than 500,000 residents in the Milwaukee-Madison metropolitan area, and more than 820,000 residents along Interstate 41 between Fond du Lac and Green Bay. residents, and will extend services to more than 160,000 residents. in Eau Claire.
Rail expansion to Waukesha County, Madison, Green Bay and other areas could attract 250,000 new riders The number will increase within 10 years, to 1.6 million by 2050, according to data from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation released in May.
The routes and proposals considered are:
- Milwaukee to Green Bay: Extending the current Hiawatha service from Chicago to Milwaukee north to include stops in Fond du Lac, Oshkosh, Appleton and Green Bay.
- Milwaukee to Chicago: Improve existing services and consider adding services to the current schedule.
- From Milwaukee to Madison to Eau Claire: New service from Milwaukee to Madison and Eau Claire, adding stops in Oconomowoc and Watertown.
- From Eau Claire to the Twin Cities: New service pole area connecting Eau Claire and Minneapolis/St. Paul.
- Chicago – Milwaukee – La Crosse – Twin Cities: Adds daily round-trip service between Chicago and St. Paul with stops in Milwaukee and La Crosse to Amtrak’s existing Empire Builder service.
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The $500,000 grant will gather input and answer key questions such as frequency, feasibility, station location and cost.
WisDOT and local communities that supported the request to participate in the Corridor ID program will use the grant money to develop a more detailed plan for what the rail expansion will look like.
Baldwin’s office said the funds will be used to answer details such as train frequency, scheduled times, station locations, needed infrastructure improvements, ticket prices and estimates of how much it will cost to operate the expanded service. said.
Genrich called on proponents and skeptics of rail expansion alike to join them and provide input as the community and WisDOT consider service plans.
“This is really a process to determine if it’s feasible, reasonable and effective for the region,” Genrich said. “Regardless of how it turns out, I think it’s going to be really valuable for all of us.”
Amtrak expansion in Wisconsin likely requires state funding
The move to expand Amtrak’s service to more parts of Wisconsin has critics and opponents, including several members of the Wisconsin state Legislature. Rail expansions like the five lines being considered in Wisconsin require the state to pay for operating costs that cannot be covered by ticket revenue.
“We need some help from the state of Wisconsin to make this happen,” Genrich said.
In December 2022, state Assembly Speaker Robin Vos didn’t mince words on the subject, saying, “There will be no state funding.”
Republican state Sen. Eric Winberger, whose district includes Green Bay and Marinette, said busing between Green Bay and Milwaukee is the most “cost-effective and practical” way to provide transportation options. He said that it seems to be the case. He believes Corridor ID’s study will show that rail service to Green Bay is expensive and there isn’t enough ridership to cover operating costs, but the study does not provide anyone with information. He said it would help him make decisions based on the
“There is not enough information at this time to make an informed decision,” Winberger said. “Let’s see how that changes.”
Bucks, Packers, more than 60 businesses, universities, chambers of commerce and tourism organizations support rail expansion
The Green Bay Packers and Milwaukee Bucks join more than 60 major employers, health care providers, tourism agencies, universities, colleges and business groups in Wisconsin. signed a statement supporting passenger rail expansion In Wisconsin.
“We support expanding passenger rail service in the high-potential Wisconsin Corridor as a necessary and valuable investment in Wisconsin’s economic future. and help attract and retain the talent essential to its success. “Convenient, economical and environmentally friendly alternatives to cars, accelerated economic growth opportunities, improved quality of life, increased tourism, and “Strengthening the resilience of transportation systems,” the statement reads.
Companies that signed the letter include Mercury Marine, Celcom, Madison Gas & Electric, Schneider National, UW Health, and Festival Foods. Chambers of Commerce and tourism agencies representing Eau Claire, Chippewa Falls, Fox Cities, Greater Green Bay, Madison and Oshkosh also signed the letter.
Packers President and CEO Mark Murphy released a statement Thursday saying he was very pleased with the team’s support for the passenger rail expansion study.
“Passenger rail has a rich history with the Packers and their fans, and its return will not only benefit economic development and tourism, but also create a great new resource for everyone who lives and works in our region,” Murphy said. will be added,” he said.
Appleton, Oshkosh and Green Bay mayors support passenger rail expansion more than 50 years after the last train left Green Bay
The last passenger train left Green Bay’s Chicago and Northwestern Depot on Dusman Street in 1971. Some residents may have memories of riding this train to watch Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears games in the 1950s and 1960s.
Railroad advocates never gave up hope of restoring passenger train service to Green Bay, Appleton, Oshkosh, and Fond du Lac. More than 50 years later, they got a glimmer of hope when President Joe Biden signed bipartisan infrastructure legislation. The bill included $66 billion to expand passenger rail service to new cities and increase service on existing lines.
In December 2022, seven mayors and city managers from cities along Interstate 41 supported a request to include northeastern Wisconsin in the Corridor ID.
How long does it take to get from Chicago or Milwaukee to Madison on Amtrak?
Amtrak’s ConnectUS Vision 1 between Chicago and Madison with stops in Chicago and Glenview in Illinois, then at Sturtevant, Mitchell International Airport, Milwaukee, Oconomowoc, Watertown, and Madison in Wisconsin to expand Hiawatha Rail service to Madison. I proposed 4 round trips a day.
Amtrak originally projected travel times of 1 hour 48 minutes from Madison to Milwaukee and 3 hours 18 minutes from Madison to Chicago.
As in northeastern Wisconsin, expansion in Madison and Milwaukee attracted support from government leaders in Madison, Pewaukee, and Watertown.
Genrich: Amtrak runs from Green Bay to Milwaukee, but from Oshkosh to Appleton there’s a ‘huge impact’
When Corridor ID launches in 2022, Amtrak also released “.vision“About what passenger rail service would look like from Milwaukee to Green Bay.
The Northeast Wisconsin Railroad expansion will run three round trips each day, taking just under three hours from Green Bay to Milwaukee and four hours and 20 minutes from Green Bay to Chicago. The service map includes stops in Green Bay, Appleton, Oshkosh, and Fond du Lac. Amtrak currently connects through Green Bay and Milwaukee. bus service.
Genrich said the biggest impact will not be on ridership from Chicago to Green Bay, but on rail travel opportunities within major cities in northeastern Wisconsin.
“The connectivity between Green Bay and Milwaukee and Chicago is really great, but the more meaningful impact of this service will be between Fond du Lac and Green Bay,” Genrich said. “That’s where this rail service could have a big impact.”
Jeff Bollier (920) 431-8387 or jbollier@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffBollier.