The infrastructure bill recently signed into law by President Biden includes money for expanding passenger train service across the United States. At this month’s meeting of the West Central Wisconsin Rail Coalition, chair Scott Rogers discussed how the bill might impact plans to bring passenger trains to the Chippewa Valley and beyond: https://youtu.be/P2zqAJBGmjE
High Speed Rail Alliance Exec discusses efforts to expand passenger train service
Chicago native Rick Harnish founded the HSRA in 1993 and has served as its Executive Director since 2001.
According to its website, the Alliance “builds the political will for systemic change by advocating for integrated rail and transit networks connected by 200+ MPH high-speed lines.”
To watch a replay of the discussion concerning the status of federal legislation to invest in nationwide passenger rail development, click here: https://youtu.be/NoRjzPHuEvo
Eau Claire Passenger Train Rally Attracts Weekend Crowd
More than two dozen people gathered in Eau Claire’s Phoenix Park Saturday to push for expanded passenger train service for the Chippewa Valley. The “Rally for Rail” was organized by the Chippewa Valley Transit Alliance.
The goal was to encourage congress to pass President Biden’s infrastructure bill, which includes money for improving passenger rail. Among the speakers was Mark Quam of the Western Wisconsin Rail Coalition, who talked about how important transportation connectivity is to Eau Claire’s future.
State Rep. Jodi Emerson (D)-Eau Claire says extending passenger rail service to Eau Claire would allow workers to more easily commute to jobs in other places: “I think it’s a great way to expand our city and have our people have places to work that are not necessarily tied to Eau Claire.”
Others touted trains as being more environmentally responsible.
Rail Passengers C.E.O. Discusses Strategies for Improving Service at May WWRC Meeting
Jim Mathews, the president and C.E.O. of the national Rail Passengers Association, was the guest speaker at the May meeting of the West Central Wisconsin Rail Coalition on Thursday, May 20th. He talked with members about strategies for getting federal assistance to expand rail service. Watch the replay of the meeting here: https://youtu.be/0iWjdmLOzgk
Wisconsin Public Radio to Host Passenger Train Discussion
Eau Claire, Wis. – Passenger rail development in western Wisconsin and its relationship to a statewide project connecting Chicago, Milwaukee and the Twin Cities will be the topic of “The West Side” at 10 a.m. Friday, May 14 on The Ideas Network stations of Wisconsin Public Radio: 88.3/Menomonie-Eau Claire and 88.7/River Falls.
Host Clara Neupert welcomes Scott Rogers, vice president of Governmental Affairs at the Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce and chair of the West Central Wisconsin Rail Coalition, and Mark Quam, president of the Chippewa Valley Transit Alliance and secretary/acting treasurer of the West Central Wisconsin Rail Coalition, to talk about the push for a new passenger rail line that would connect Chicago to the Twin Cities as well as a second passenger rail project in western Wisconsin.
“The West Side” is broadcast each Friday at 10 a.m. on The Ideas Network stations 88.3/Menomonie-Eau Claire and 88.7/River Falls and live streamed at wrfw887.com/listen-live.html.Listeners may call in with questions and comments during the program at (800) 228-5615, or email the show at ideas@wpr.org. Archives of “The West Side” are available at wpr.org/programs/west-side.
National Rail Passengers CEO To Speak at May Meeting
Jim Matthews, the President and C.E.O. of the national Rail Passengers Association, will be the featured speaker at the May meeting of the West Central Wisconsin Rail Coalition. A lifelong train traveler with a deep-rooted vision for a robust national passenger train network within the U.S., Mathews believes rail can be an economic engine in the communities it serves, a potentially transformative mode in an ever-changing transportation landscape and the most environmentally responsible way to meet the transportation challenges of the 21st century.
The virtual meeting (via Zoom) begins at 8:00 AM on Thursday, May 20th. The meeting is open to the public, but pre-registration is required for Zoom. Anyone who wishes to attend can register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcod-CorT4oG9IFrIY8WzkkLOCrJze_V9nN
Comments Show Public Support for Expanding Passenger Rail Service in Wisconsin
There is strong public support for increased passenger rail service in Wisconsin, according to comments filed this spring with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.
The DOT released information on the TCMC (Twin Cities-Milwaukee-Chicago) project this week. The plan is to add a second passenger train on the existing Amtrak route between the Twin Cities and Chicago. That route includes stops in La Crosse, Tomah, Wisconsin Dells, Columbus and Milwaukee. The DOT is also looking into adding a dedicated shuttle bus service between Eau Claire and the Amtrak depot in Tomah, with buses timed to make train connections.
Of the 3800+ public comments filed abut the project in March, 84% indicated support for it. Only 4% were opposed. The complete report is available here: https://wisconsindot.gov/Documents/projects/multimodal/rail/20210414_TCMC-booklet.pdf
Wisconsin DOT official discusses passenger rail expansion plans
Arun Rao of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, talked about plans to enhance and expand passenger train options in the Badger State during the April 15th meeting of the West Central Wisconsin Rail Coalition. Watch a replay of the meeting here: https://youtu.be/98Jyd9hmyd4
New Amtrak Plan Includes Proposed Service To/From Eau Claire
"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
Wis. DOT Seeks Public Comment on Passenger Rail Expansion, Including Chippewa Valley Shuttle
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) is looking for public input on a pending project that would add a second train on the existing Chicago-Milwaukee-Twin Cities line. As planned, the initiative would also include a dedicated shuttle from the Chippewa Valley to the Amtrak station at Tomah to provide rail connections to Milwaukee and Chicago.
Known as the TCMC project (Twin Cities-Milwaukee-Chicago), the plan will extend one of the existing Chicago-Milwaukee Hiawatha trains to Tomah, La Crosse, Winona and St. Paul as an additional frequency on the current Empire Builder route. Federal grants have been awarded, and plans are included for connecting shuttles to additional communities including the Chippewa Valley, Madison and Rochester.
How to submit your comments
As final planning by WisDOT, Minnesota DOT, and Amtrak nears completion, public comments are being invited about the benefits and details of the service. To submit yours, simply take a moment to click on the links below. There is an easy-to-use, survey-style Public Comment Form to make your submission:
Project website with full information
Recorded project update video (20 mins)
Public Comment Form
Local support for the project and shuttle connection
As WisDOT began consideration of the Chippewa Valley shuttle, local support for the connection was expressed in resolutions and letters from the Eau Claire City Council, Eau Claire County Board, Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce, and West Central Wisconsin Rail Coalition. These were among more than 60 letters of support and local governmental resolutions from across Wisconsin and Minnesota that helped WisDOT obtain key federal grants to help implement the service.
Eastward connections to Milwaukee and Chicago
Many Chippewa Valley area residents already drive to Tomah to catch the current Amtrak service, but a dedicated shuttle will significantly improve mobility for those who cannot or do not want to drive. Shuttle connections like these have been successful in other states like California and North Carolina. WisDOT also recently established dedicated shuttles to link the current Hiawatha service at Milwaukee to Fond du Lac, Oshkosh, Appleton, and Green Bay.
The proposed Chippewa Valley shuttle would travel along I-94 and make a direct connection to trains at the Amtrak station in Tomah. At a recent meeting of the West Central Wisconsin Rail Coalition, WisDOT Passenger Rail Program Manager Arun Rao provide a conceptual sample schedule the shuttle connection if established to connect with both the existing Empire Builder and the new Twin Cities Hiawatha Extension (TCMC) to Eau Claire and Menomonie:
Complementary to future plans for direct rail service to the Chippewa Valley
The West Central Wisconsin Rail Coalition is working to establish a multi-frequency Twin Cities-Eau Claire corridor as a public-private partnership on the tracks of the Union Pacific Railroad and has endorsed the proposal as a complementary step to provide residents of the region access to the national passenger train network.
In a resolution it drafted last year, the Coalition stated: "This would open up more travel opportunities for area residents and visitors to connect to/from Milwaukee and Chicago via Tomah, and would especially provide improved mobility for students, seniors and others who cannot or do not want to drive 80 miles to access the service."
Similarly, in a letter to WisDOT Secretary Craig Thompson, the Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce noted: "Transportation is a critical component for economic prosperity. The Chamber has long advocated for establishing passenger rail service to our region as an important component for economic competitiveness and talent attraction," and that the shuttle "would enhance the connectivity of our community and be complementary to efforts to obtain future direct train service for Eau Claire." The Eau Claire City Council passed a supporting resolution last February, and the Eau Claire County Board last May.
Why not run the second train through Eau Claire and/or Madison?
As these plans have come forward, residents of places like Eau Claire and Madison have asked why WisDOT doesn't take this opportunity to route the second train via Eau Claire and/or Madison to provide direct train service to more communities.
"This is a practical way to double train service across Wisconsin at a reasonable cost," notes West Central Wisconsin Rail Coalition Chair Scott Rogers. "The service is less expensive to implement because it uses existing tracks and stations, while new routings would require larger investments. The proposed shuttles to other communities provides additional mobility and is a step towards building demand for future direct train service."
More information:
West Central Wisconsin Rail Coalition (website)
WisDOT seeking public input on $53 million expansion of passenger rail to Twin Cities (BizTimes)
’Second Empire Builder’ project wins a $12.6 million Restoration & Enhancement grant (MIPRC)
Wisconsin-Minnesota passenger rail project getting $31.8 million federal grant (La Crosse Tribune)
Twin Cities-Milwaukee-Chicago Intercity Passenger Rail Service (WisDOT)
Eau Claire-Tomah Shuttle Fact Sheet (West Central Wisconsin Rail Coalition)
Eau Claire Chamber of Commerce Letter in support of CRISI grant (Eau Claire Chamber)
Eau Claire City Council Resolution (City of Eau Claire)
Eau Claire County Board Resolution (Eau Claire County)
West Central Wisconsin Rail Coalition Letter and Resolution (West Central Wisconsin Rail Coalition)