Derrick James, Senior Manager of Government Affairs for Amtrak, says an alternate Minneapolis-Chicago route through Eau Claire is something Amtrak is considering.

James was the guest speaker at the December meeting of the West Central Wisconsin Rail Coalition. During his presentation, James showed a map from Amtrak’s “Connects US” plan which shows a route through the Chippewa Valley. Amtrak’s current service between the Twin Cities and Chicago goes through southern Minnesota before crossing the Mississippi at La Crosse, and then on through Tomah.

James said the federal infrastructure bill, recently signed into law by President Biden, includes millions of dollars for expanded passenger train service.

Click here: https://youtu.be/pYaPWaeZ9UM watch the presentation.