Passenger Rail – Plan & Opportunities Engineer Contractor Conference Middleton, WI January 21, 2010

The Plan Midwest Regional Rail Initiative

Nine states working together since 2006 Planning goals and assumptions –Provide network efficiencies to each corridor –Increase revenues through increased speeds and frequencies to reduce operating subsidies –Keep capital costs at reasonable levels

Midwest Regional Rail Initiative 3000 mile system Hubbed in Chicago Increased frequencies Up to 110 MPH Largely uses existing freight rail corridors No degradation of freight service

Passenger Rail Opportunities Then came ARRA! –8 Billion dollars for passenger rail –First substantial funds Some would say since the mid-1800’s

Passenger Rail Opportunities Midwest states have submitted applications totaling approximately $10 Billion Nationally FRA has received 259 applications totaling $57 billion Decisions to be announced this “winter”, in 2010 Projects completed by 2017

Funding opportunities Next surface transportation bill –Potential for additional funding in the next surface transportation bill. –Currently operating with extensions

What’s involved? Track upgrades New track construction Grading Bridge construction

What’s Involved? New or upgraded stations Parking –lots or –structures

Sturtevant Amtrak Station

Milwaukee Airport Rail Station

What’s Involved? Environmental studies New equipment Maintenance facilities Infrastructure design/construction Stations

Wisconsin and Passenger Rail 1 st Phase –Milwaukee & Watertown (owned and operated by Canadian Pacific Railway) –Watertown & Madison (WisDOT owned, operated by Wisconsin & Southern) –Will include 6 round trips with stops in Brookfield, Oconomowoc, Watertown and Madison

Wisconsin and Passenger Rail State has bought 2 Talgo train sets for the existing Hiawatha Service These sets will also be used when intercity passenger rail service is extended to Madison If we are awarded an ARRA grant, 2 additional train sets will be purchased

Wisconsin and Passenger Rail High Speed Passenger Rail NOI’s –Rail Corridor Final Design –Rail Station Environmental Assessments –Train Shed Final Design –Train Set Inspection –Program and Project Controls

Next Steps Construction Late 2010 –Ongoing through 2012 Chicago to Milwaukee –Tier 1 NEPA Chicago to Milwaukee including Muskego Bypass

Next Steps Madison to Minneapolis/St. Paul Corridor Future service NEPA –Route to be determined by future Service NEPA

Questions or Comments? John Oimoen High Speed Passenger Program Manager 433 W. Saint Paul Avenue Milwaukee, WI 414/