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Railroad projects

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is distributing discretionary rail grants to states with funds provided through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. These funds will be used for intercity passenger rail projects that support the development of high-speed rail lines or address intercity passenger rail capacity or congestion.

High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail (HSIPR) Program

Eligibility

FRA developed a strategic plan for $8 billion in Recovery Act funding to improve and deploy high-speed intercity passenger rail systems. Funding is available through 2017 for projects selected in Track 2. Track 1 projects have to be substantially complete by 2012. Visit the FRA Web site for detailed information related to rail project eligibility, grant terms, conditions and procedures.

Track 1a

Project applications for the Track 1a High Speed Intercity Passenger Rail Program were due to FRA on August 24, 2009. Wisconsin submitted applications for final design and construction for two projects that would improve existing rail passenger service and will be needed to accommodate future expanded high speed passenger rail service in the Chicago-Milwaukee corridor. The two projects are the Truesdell crossovers ($13.4 million) and the Milwaukee Airport Rail Station (MARS) platform extension ($0.7 million).

The following documents are in PDF style (These are large files and may require a lengthy download time.)

• Truesdell crossovers grant application (3.8 MB)
• MARS platform extension grant application (5.7 MB)

Track 2

Project applications for the Track 2 Corridor Programs were due to FRA on October 2, 2009. Wisconsin submitted a Track 2 application to FRA for funds to develop a $651.8 million high-speed rail passenger rail line between Milwaukee and Madison. Wisconsin’s application calls for track, signal and infrastructure improvements, the acquisition of two train sets and eight, energy-efficient “next generation” locomotives, a new maintenance facility and positive train controls for the corridor.

The following documents are in PDF style (Some of these are large files and may require a lengthy download time.)

Milwaukee-Madison High-Speed Rail grant application

• 1 - SF 424 Form
• 2 - SF LLL Form
• 3 - SF 424C Form
• 4 - Corridor Service Overview
• 5 - Corridor Program Main Application
• 6 - Corridor Program Data (806 KB)
• 7 - Component Project Data
  • Milwaukee-Watertown Corridor Segment (260 KB)
  • Watertown-Madison Corridor Segment (258 KB)
  • Stations (254 KB)
  • Train Sets (254 KB)
  • Next Generation Locomotives (254 KB)
  • Train Service and Inspection Facility (255 KB)
  • Environmental Commitments (253 KB)
• 8 - Service Development Plan
  • Service Development Plan (514 KB)
  • Service Development Plan Appendices (7.3 MB)
• 9 - Preliminary Engineering (These are large files available on the WisDOT FTP server.)
  • PE Project Management Plan
  • PE Scoping Information
  • PE Conceptual Definition of Madison Access Alternatives
  • PE Transportation Traffic and Land Access Impacts
  • PE Public and Private Grade Crossings
  • PE Capacity Analysis
  • PE Bridges and Structures
  • PE Signals and Communications
  • PE Real Estate-Abutting Ownership
  • PE Conceptual Stage Relocation Program
  • PE Detailed and Final Definition of Madison Access Alternatives
  • PE Environmental Assessment
  • PE Finding of No Significant Impact
  • PE Land Bridge Report
  • PE Drainage Report
  • PE Rail Corridor Plan and Profile
  • PE Grade Crossing Plans
  • PE Geotechnical Report
  • PE Capital Cost Estimate
  • PE Track Schematics
  • Canadian Pacific Railway Milwaukee-Watertown Track Schematic
• 10 - Service NEPA Documentation (These are large files available on the WisDOT FTP server.)
  • PE Environmental Assessment
  • PE Finding of No Significant Impact
• 11 - Project Management Plan (1.6 MB)
• 12 - Stakeholder Agreements and Letters of Support (7.9 MB)
• 13 - Financial Plan (1.5 MB)
• 14 - SF 424D Construction Assurances
• 15 - FRA Assurances and Certifications (741 KB)
• 16 - Additional Supporting Documents
  • 2007-08 State of Wisconsin Audit (1.3 MB)
  • 2010-11 Wisconsin State Budget-Passenger Rail
  • 2010 WisDOT-Amtrak Hiawatha Service Agreement (821 KB)

Track 3

Project applications for the Track 3 High Speed Intercity Passenger Rail Program were due to FRA in August 24, 2009. Minnesota, in partnership with Wisconsin, requested $600,000 for an estimated $1.2 million service NEPA study (high-level environmental study) of the Milwaukee-Twin Cities high-speed rail corridor segment. See the Minnesota DOT Web site for more information.

Amtrak

FRA awarded $1.3 billion in Recovery Act funds directly to Amtrak for capital grants in support of intercity railroad passenger services. Of this, approximately $447 million is for security improvements. Priority uses for the non-security funding include the repair, rehabilitation, or upgrade of railroad assets or infrastructure, and for capital projects that expand passenger rail capacity.

Amtrak operates two routes in Wisconsin: the Hiawatha Service, currently making seven daily round trips between Milwaukee and Chicago; and the long-distance Empire Builder, operating from Chicago to Seattle and Portland, with six Wisconsin stops. Amtrak requested nearly $2.5 million for security/safety for facilities and infrastructure in Wisconsin.

Non-security/safety Recovery Act funding totaled $715,200 and includes:

• Platform kiosk at one station - $11,000
• Wheelchair lift at Columbus station - $99,100
• Wheelchair lift at La Crosse station - $31,000
• Wheelchair lift at Portage station - $31,000
• Wheelchair lift at WI Dells station - $34,100
• ADA design at Tomah station - $9,000
• ADA platform at Tomah station - $500,000

For more information, contact:

Peg Schmitt
(608) 266-3581
peg.schmitt@dot.wi.gov

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Last modified: November 20, 2009