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Wisconsin Lawmakers Asked to Fund Part of Milwaukee-to-Madison Passenger Rail
The federal grant would pay for final design and construction of Hiawatha West, which Amtrak says could carry 260,000 annual passengers.
- On Friday, Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin and Gov. Tony Evers announced Wisconsin secured $218 million in federal funding to expand Amtrak's Hiawatha passenger rail service to Madison through the Hiawatha West Project.
- The Hiawatha West Project will extend passenger rail service from Milwaukee to Madison, adding new stations in Pewaukee and Watertown while serving Waukesha, Jefferson, and Dane counties.
- Expanding the service is expected to add 260,000 passenger trips annually, generate $46 million in economic benefits, and create 200 permanent jobs.
- Funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the expansion could begin service as soon as 2030, though Wisconsin must provide $54.6 million for construction and an estimated $2.5 million annual operating subsidy.
- This funding marks a significant milestone for a route that historically struggled; Madison lost passenger rail service in the 1970s, and former Gov. Scott Walker rejected more than $800 million in federal funding for a similar project.
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Wisconsin lawmakers asked to fund part of Milwaukee-to-Madison passenger rail
(The Center Square) – Wisconsin leaders would need to fund $54.5 million in capital expenses and an estimated $2.5 million annually for operating expenses to pair with a $218 million federal grant to extend passenger rail service from Milwaukee to…
Amtrak extension to Madison on track with $218M in federal funds
Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin and Gov. Tony Evers announced Friday that a Federal Railroad Administration program would provide more than $218 million for the final design and construction of Amtrak's Hiawatha West project.
·Madison, United States
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Total News Sources19
Leaning Left2Leaning Right2Center9Last UpdatedBias Distribution69% Center
Bias Distribution
- 69% of the sources are Center
69% Center
L 16%
C 69%
15%
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