"Amtrak Connects US" vision released in response to Biden Infrastructure Plan
After President Joe Biden on March 31 released his proposed infrastructure package, including an $80 billion investment in passenger and freight rail, Amtrak, the government-sponsored national rail network, announced its "Amtrak Connects US" vision for new and improved routes across the country. For Wisconsin, that vision includes enhanced service on existing train routes and new services to reach Eau Claire, Madison and Green Bay.
"With a growing and diverse population, a global climate crisis and longer traffic jams, America needs a rail network that offers frequent, reliable, sustainable and equitable train service," the carrier said in a statement that is part of the fact sheet and map it released. "Amtrak has the vision and expertise to deliver it."
Inclusion highlights strong potential for Eau Claire route
Leaders of the West Central Wisconsin Rail Coalition, which has been working to obtain passenger rail service for the region as an economic development and talent attraction imperative, praised the inclusion by Amtrak of a through Chicago-Twin Cities route via Eau Claire.
"Being included in the nationwide vision is another demonstration of the viability of service to our region," notes Coalition Chair Scott Rogers, who is also Vice President Governmental Affairs for the Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce. "We have some of the fastest-growing counties and cities in the state," he said, "Adding passenger rail will help enhance the attractiveness of our communities and help that growth continue."
Chippewa-St. Croix Rail Commission being formed
The Rail Coalition's current focus has been to start with a St. Paul-Hudson/River Falls-Baldwin-Menomonie-Eau Claire service with four trains a day each way as a first step, working on a public-private partnership that would have the service operated by a non-Amtrak private carrier. It has been working with local units of government to form the Chippewa-St. Croix Rail Commission to represent the public interest to coordinate efforts to implement the proposed service, undertake local planning, and pursue the long-term vision that includes service to Milwaukee and Chicago. Participating in the commission are Eau Claire, Dunn, and St. Croix counties, as well as Altoona, Eau Claire, Menomonie, Baldwin, New Richmond and Hudson. Its first organizational meeting is schedule for Monday, April 5.
Amtrak expansion routes track with Wisconsin State Rail Plan
Rogers points out that Amtrak's proposed additional routes in Wisconsin are the same as those envisioned as part of Wisconsin's long-range plan, enumerated in the State Rail Plan adopted in 2014:
In particular, the long-range plan map, on page 6-38 of the Rail Plan's Passenger Rail Chapter, shows plans for future routes serving Madison, the Fox Valley, Green Bay, and Eau Claire. Adopted in 2014, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation recently began a process to update the plan: Wisconsin Rail Plan 2050
Next step in Chicago-Milwaukee-Twin Cities expansion already underway
WisDOT, Minnesota DOT, and Amtrak are currently completing plans to extend one of the popular Chicago-Milwaukee "Hiawatha" trains across the state to Tomah, La Crosse, Winona, Red Wing and St. Paul, stations served once a day by the long-distance Empire Builder. That plan includes dedicated shuttle connections to serve Eau Claire, Madison, and Rochester. The Rail Coalition supports the project because it would be complementary to its efforts to link West Central Wisconsin to passenger rail service to Milwaukee and Chicago. WisDOT is now accepting public comments on the plan through April 9:
WisDOT seeks input on second train across Wisconsin - Includes Tomah-Chippewa Valley shuttle connection
Will all new services be operated by Amtrak?
As noted, the West Central Wisconsin Rail Coalition's current efforts envision starting service between St. Paul and Eau Claire with a private carrier other than Amtrak. Elsewhere, privately-sponsored or public services operated by private contractors have been implemented or are being planned in Florida, Texas, Las Vegas, Connecticut and by several commuter lines. Amtrak also recently began talking with states and localities about passenger rail expansion opportunities.
"The Fact Sheet for Amtrak's Connects US vision includes a 'Why Amtrak?' section that asserts Amtrak's expertise and experience - appearing to be a pitch to states and localities to choose Amtrak for new services," points out Scott Rogers. "That implies that Amtrak is looking to be the choice of operator for the new services vs. other alternatives. Like multiple airlines serving the same publicly-supported airports, perhaps we could see coordinated services over the same lines by more than one carrier. " He points out that in Texas, Amtrak has signed an interline agreement with Texas Central, which is planning to build a Dallas-Houston bullet train using Japanese technology.
Stay tuned. As Congress and the public debate the Biden infrastructure plan, and as interest continues to grow in passenger rail expansion, we're likely to hear more about how potential new investments might be allocated and implemented. The Amtrak vision is very conceptual at this stage, and a lot needs to happen before anyone can buy tickets to new destinations.
More information:
The American Jobs Plan (Biden Infrastructure Proposal)
Amtrak Connects US Fact Sheet and Map (Amtrak)
West Central Wisconsin Rail Coalition (website)
WisDOT seeks input on second train across Wisconsin - Includes Tomah-Chippewa Valley shuttle connection (Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce)
Contact: Scot Rogers, Vice President Governmental Affairs
rogers@eauclairechamber.org