From an editorial in the La Crosse Tribune:
Gov. Scott Walker's decision to reject $810 million in federal funding for high-speed rail is turning in to the gift that keeps on giving for everyone but the residents of our part of the state.
Worse, it's costing all taxpayers in Wisconsin more than it needs to - millions and millions of dollars more, according to one analysis.
And western Wisconsin won't get so much as a train whistle out of the deal.
Earlier this week, a legislative committee in Madison agreed to spend $31.6 million on the Hiawatha rail line between Chicago and Milwaukee. The Hiawatha line makes the trip seven times daily and carried nearly 800,000 passengers last year.
Oh, did we mention that work on the Hiawatha line would have been funded as part of the $810 million grant from the federal government because it was an extension of the now-deceased high-speed rail line between Milwaukee and Madison?
So, let's review: Wisconsin gives back $810 million. It won't receive high-speed rail. And, as a bonus, we agree to spend $31.6 million out of our pockets - much of it borrowed - for work that the feds would have funded.
But wait, there's more:
There's also the ongoing operating costs as well as the need to pay for maintenance bases and train sheds and locomotives and signals, according to an analysis by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Added up, the analysis shows that the federal grant could have paid for up to $99 million that Wisconsin taxpayers will now have to fund.
All of that is incredible when you consider that the Walker administration objected to high-speed rail through Wisconsin because of the ongoing costs.
Showing posts with label Trains. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Trains. Show all posts
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Illinois forms partnership with Wisconsin's money to develop high-speed rail to St. Louis
From an article in BizTimes Daily:
State of Illinois announced today it will use some of the federal funds rejected by Wisconsin Governor-elect Scott Walker to create a public-private partnership that will develop high-speed rail from Chicago to St. Louis, Mo., by 20114.
Illinois Transportation Secretary Gary Hannig, Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin and U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced the signing of the historic cooperative agreement by the federal government, state government, Union Pacific Railroad, and Amtrak as a crucial advance in the development of a planned high-speed passenger rail network that will serve Illinois and the Midwest region.
“ Clearly, the leadership, perseverance and commitment of Governor Quinn, Senator Durbin, and our private sector partners, has vaulted Illinois into the lead on the development of high-speed rail,” Hannig said. “This announcement is about more than just an historic achievement for Illinois and the Midwest. It is a celebration of the kind of partnership and vision that is creating jobs now and providing needed access to a crucial regional transportation alternative.”
In September 2010, Quinn announced that Illinois had become the first state in the nation to begin high-speed rail construction through an initial agreement to upgrade 90 miles of track between Alton and Lincoln. With the full Cooperative Agreement now in place, construction will continue in early spring from just south of Lincoln to Dwight. That phase of work is expected to conclude next fall.
“It’s a wonderful day for Illinoisans as we celebrate a milestone achievement towards becoming the first state in the nation to bring high-speed rail to fruition,” Quinn said. “We applaud the cooperation and hard work of all participating agencies to bring high-speed rail service, thousands of jobs, and economic growth to communities across the state.”
State of Illinois announced today it will use some of the federal funds rejected by Wisconsin Governor-elect Scott Walker to create a public-private partnership that will develop high-speed rail from Chicago to St. Louis, Mo., by 20114.
Illinois Transportation Secretary Gary Hannig, Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin and U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced the signing of the historic cooperative agreement by the federal government, state government, Union Pacific Railroad, and Amtrak as a crucial advance in the development of a planned high-speed passenger rail network that will serve Illinois and the Midwest region.
“ Clearly, the leadership, perseverance and commitment of Governor Quinn, Senator Durbin, and our private sector partners, has vaulted Illinois into the lead on the development of high-speed rail,” Hannig said. “This announcement is about more than just an historic achievement for Illinois and the Midwest. It is a celebration of the kind of partnership and vision that is creating jobs now and providing needed access to a crucial regional transportation alternative.”
In September 2010, Quinn announced that Illinois had become the first state in the nation to begin high-speed rail construction through an initial agreement to upgrade 90 miles of track between Alton and Lincoln. With the full Cooperative Agreement now in place, construction will continue in early spring from just south of Lincoln to Dwight. That phase of work is expected to conclude next fall.
“It’s a wonderful day for Illinoisans as we celebrate a milestone achievement towards becoming the first state in the nation to bring high-speed rail to fruition,” Quinn said. “We applaud the cooperation and hard work of all participating agencies to bring high-speed rail service, thousands of jobs, and economic growth to communities across the state.”
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Rep. Shilling: High-speed rail project would have benefited our region, too
From a guest column by State Representative Jennider Shilling in the La Crosse Tribune:
I read Gov.-elect Scott Walker’s column (Monday’s Tribune) and continue to be amazed at his insistence that killing the high-speed rail project and shipping thousands of jobs to California, Florida and Illinois is a victory.
He has said that turning away $810 million in funding and the thousands of construction and manufacturing jobs will somehow save taxpayers money. But what Walker fails to mention is that Wisconsin taxpayers will now be on the hook for up to $61.3 million in freight and passenger rail upgrades that need to be made and would have been paid for by the federal grants. Because he turned away that money, 100 percent of these costs will now fall on Wisconsin taxpayers.
Because his numbers don’t add up, Walker also tried to paint this project as a high-speed rail line to nowhere. In reality, the Chicago-Milwaukee upgrade and Milwaukee-Madison line would have been the first leg of a major project between Chicago and the Twin Cities. I’ve always said that this infrastructure investment would be like our investment in the interstate projects of the 1950s, and it’s hard to imagine what our state would look like today if we had turned down federal money to construct these highway projects.
While I could argue the merits of this project at length, the most unbelievable statement of his was that he couldn’t imagine people in western Wisconsin supporting the high-speed rail project. Had he been listening to the residents in La Crosse and throughout our region, I am sure he would have reached a very different conclusion.
I read Gov.-elect Scott Walker’s column (Monday’s Tribune) and continue to be amazed at his insistence that killing the high-speed rail project and shipping thousands of jobs to California, Florida and Illinois is a victory.
He has said that turning away $810 million in funding and the thousands of construction and manufacturing jobs will somehow save taxpayers money. But what Walker fails to mention is that Wisconsin taxpayers will now be on the hook for up to $61.3 million in freight and passenger rail upgrades that need to be made and would have been paid for by the federal grants. Because he turned away that money, 100 percent of these costs will now fall on Wisconsin taxpayers.
Because his numbers don’t add up, Walker also tried to paint this project as a high-speed rail line to nowhere. In reality, the Chicago-Milwaukee upgrade and Milwaukee-Madison line would have been the first leg of a major project between Chicago and the Twin Cities. I’ve always said that this infrastructure investment would be like our investment in the interstate projects of the 1950s, and it’s hard to imagine what our state would look like today if we had turned down federal money to construct these highway projects.
While I could argue the merits of this project at length, the most unbelievable statement of his was that he couldn’t imagine people in western Wisconsin supporting the high-speed rail project. Had he been listening to the residents in La Crosse and throughout our region, I am sure he would have reached a very different conclusion.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Walker wrong to turn back train
From an editorial in the La Crosse Tribune:
Scott Walker isn’t even governor yet, and he has lost an $810 million game of chicken with our money. He has undoubtedly lost jobs and certainly will lose the company that moved to Wisconsin to help build trains for high-speed rail.
And, he’s declaring victory.
He’s off the rails before the train even left the station.
He told us that he didn’t want to contribute to runaway federal spending. He didn’t want to invest in high-speed rail. Instead, he wanted to use the federal money to improve Wisconsin’s roads.
That was a wonderful theory — but the federal government repeatedly told him that the money would go for high-speed rail projects.
And, the feds told Walker that if Wisconsin wasn’t interested, other states would get our money.
California, here it comes. Yes, you’re the big winner of $624 million, courtesy of your friends in Wisconsin. Florida, you’re getting $342.2 million of our money. Washington, here’s to you — $161.5 million from the Badger State. Even you, Illinois, our cursed neighbors to the south: You’re getting $42.3 million from Wisconsin.
Scott Walker is thoroughly pleased to hand you this money, courtesy of the taxpayers of Wisconsin.
Scott Walker isn’t even governor yet, and he has lost an $810 million game of chicken with our money. He has undoubtedly lost jobs and certainly will lose the company that moved to Wisconsin to help build trains for high-speed rail.
And, he’s declaring victory.
He’s off the rails before the train even left the station.
He told us that he didn’t want to contribute to runaway federal spending. He didn’t want to invest in high-speed rail. Instead, he wanted to use the federal money to improve Wisconsin’s roads.
That was a wonderful theory — but the federal government repeatedly told him that the money would go for high-speed rail projects.
And, the feds told Walker that if Wisconsin wasn’t interested, other states would get our money.
California, here it comes. Yes, you’re the big winner of $624 million, courtesy of your friends in Wisconsin. Florida, you’re getting $342.2 million of our money. Washington, here’s to you — $161.5 million from the Badger State. Even you, Illinois, our cursed neighbors to the south: You’re getting $42.3 million from Wisconsin.
Scott Walker is thoroughly pleased to hand you this money, courtesy of the taxpayers of Wisconsin.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Walker could kill rail for Minnesota, too
From an article by Jessica Vanegeren in The Dunn County News:
MADISON — Train boosters in Wisconsin aren’t the only ones frustrated with Gov.-elect Scott Walker’s promise to kill the proposed rail link between Madison and Milwaukee: so are our neighbors to the west.
“Obviously, if we don’t have a willing partner, it makes it more difficult to move forward,” says Dan Krom, director of the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s passenger rail office. “We all have our state politics to deal with, and the fact Wisconsin is in the middle (between Minnesota and Illinois) is a problem.”
If Wisconsin refuses to get on board and Walker turns away $810 million in federal stimulus money to pay for rail service between Milwaukee and Madison, it is unlikely Minnesota would see its largest metropolitan area connected to the proposed nine-state Midwest rail line anytime soon.
MADISON — Train boosters in Wisconsin aren’t the only ones frustrated with Gov.-elect Scott Walker’s promise to kill the proposed rail link between Madison and Milwaukee: so are our neighbors to the west.
“Obviously, if we don’t have a willing partner, it makes it more difficult to move forward,” says Dan Krom, director of the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s passenger rail office. “We all have our state politics to deal with, and the fact Wisconsin is in the middle (between Minnesota and Illinois) is a problem.”
If Wisconsin refuses to get on board and Walker turns away $810 million in federal stimulus money to pay for rail service between Milwaukee and Madison, it is unlikely Minnesota would see its largest metropolitan area connected to the proposed nine-state Midwest rail line anytime soon.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Minnesota ‘committed' to rail even if Wisconsin pulls out of project
From an article by Steve Cahalan in the La Crosse Tribune:
It could take 18 months to complete a study of possible high-speed passenger rail routes to connect Milwaukee and Minneapolis-St. Paul, but a preferred route could be indicated by the end of 2011.
Dan Krom, passenger rail director for the Minnesota Department of Transportation, said he had hoped a preferred route would be indicated by spring 2011, but Federal Railroad Administration officials want more time to review and comment on the work being done.
Krom and Charles Quandel, CEO of Quandel Consultants LLC in Chicago, fielded most of the questions and comments at a public meeting Tuesday night that drew nearly 200 people to the Best Western Riverfront Hotel in La Crosse.
It was the second in a series of public meetings in Minnesota and Wisconsin on the study.
Most of the comments Tuesday were in the form of questions, but some people spoke about the advantages of high-speed rail service while others appeared skeptical due to concerns about costs.
Some questioned what might happen to the study in view of Wisconsin Gov.-elect Scott Walker's pledge to reject federal stimulus money for a line between Milwaukee and Madison. The
federal government in February contributed $600,000 for the study, with Minnesota and Wisconsin each contributing $300,000. The federal grant is being administered by the Minnesota DOT.
Minnesota is committed to moving forward, Krom said, and made the Chicago connection the top priority in its recently completed state rail plan.
It could take 18 months to complete a study of possible high-speed passenger rail routes to connect Milwaukee and Minneapolis-St. Paul, but a preferred route could be indicated by the end of 2011.
Dan Krom, passenger rail director for the Minnesota Department of Transportation, said he had hoped a preferred route would be indicated by spring 2011, but Federal Railroad Administration officials want more time to review and comment on the work being done.
Krom and Charles Quandel, CEO of Quandel Consultants LLC in Chicago, fielded most of the questions and comments at a public meeting Tuesday night that drew nearly 200 people to the Best Western Riverfront Hotel in La Crosse.
It was the second in a series of public meetings in Minnesota and Wisconsin on the study.
Most of the comments Tuesday were in the form of questions, but some people spoke about the advantages of high-speed rail service while others appeared skeptical due to concerns about costs.
Some questioned what might happen to the study in view of Wisconsin Gov.-elect Scott Walker's pledge to reject federal stimulus money for a line between Milwaukee and Madison. The
federal government in February contributed $600,000 for the study, with Minnesota and Wisconsin each contributing $300,000. The federal grant is being administered by the Minnesota DOT.
Minnesota is committed to moving forward, Krom said, and made the Chicago connection the top priority in its recently completed state rail plan.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Minn. to host high-speed rail public meeting in La Crosse, Nov. 30
From an article by Joe Lanane in The Daily Reporter:
The Minnesota Department of Transportation will host a pair of public meetings on the proposed high-speed rail line from Milwaukee to Minneapolis-St. Paul despite assurances from Gov.-elect Scott Walker that he will kill the project in Wisconsin.
Since March, MnDOT has studied the environmental impact of possible routes between the two cities. During the two open houses, agency officials will provide updates and seek public input on their findings. . . .
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation, which partnered with MnDOT on the study, will host its own public meeting in La Crosse to discuss the extended portion of the proposed rail from Madison to the Twin Cities. The hearing will take place 5 to 7 p.m. Nov. 30 at the La Crosse Best Western Riverfront hotel.
The Minnesota Department of Transportation will host a pair of public meetings on the proposed high-speed rail line from Milwaukee to Minneapolis-St. Paul despite assurances from Gov.-elect Scott Walker that he will kill the project in Wisconsin.
Since March, MnDOT has studied the environmental impact of possible routes between the two cities. During the two open houses, agency officials will provide updates and seek public input on their findings. . . .
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation, which partnered with MnDOT on the study, will host its own public meeting in La Crosse to discuss the extended portion of the proposed rail from Madison to the Twin Cities. The hearing will take place 5 to 7 p.m. Nov. 30 at the La Crosse Best Western Riverfront hotel.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
High-speed rail open houses set
From an article in the La Crosse Tribune:
Wisconsin Gov.-elect Scott Walker has said he will halt the state's participation in the high-speed rail project.
But open houses for the environmental impact study on the proposed Milwaukee-Twin Cities high-speed passenger rail corridor remain set for Nov. 30 in La Crosse, Nov. 29 in St. Paul, Minn., and Dec. 6 in Rochester, Minn., the Minnesota Department of Transportation said Wednesday.
The study, which began in March, will analyze all possible routes for high-speed passenger rail between Milwaukee and the Twin Cities, MnDOT said. La Crosse- and Winona-area leaders have sought to have the high-speed corridor follow Amtrak's Empire Builder route through the region.
The Wisconsin DOT will host the La Crosse open house from 5 to 7 p.m., with a brief presentation at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 30 at the Best Western Riverfront Hotel, 1835 Rose St. Public comments will be accepted at the open houses and through the Minnesota DOT's website beginning Nov. 29.
Wisconsin Gov.-elect Scott Walker has said he will halt the state's participation in the high-speed rail project.
But open houses for the environmental impact study on the proposed Milwaukee-Twin Cities high-speed passenger rail corridor remain set for Nov. 30 in La Crosse, Nov. 29 in St. Paul, Minn., and Dec. 6 in Rochester, Minn., the Minnesota Department of Transportation said Wednesday.
The study, which began in March, will analyze all possible routes for high-speed passenger rail between Milwaukee and the Twin Cities, MnDOT said. La Crosse- and Winona-area leaders have sought to have the high-speed corridor follow Amtrak's Empire Builder route through the region.
The Wisconsin DOT will host the La Crosse open house from 5 to 7 p.m., with a brief presentation at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 30 at the Best Western Riverfront Hotel, 1835 Rose St. Public comments will be accepted at the open houses and through the Minnesota DOT's website beginning Nov. 29.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Rally for trains this Saturday! Noon, La Crosse Amtrack Station
Join us as we tell Scott Walker that Wisconsin can't afford to say NO over $800 million dollars in federal grant funds for this project, 9,570 permanent jobs, and increased property values.
When: Saturday, November 20th, 12:00-12:45 p.m
Where: La Crosse Amtrak Station, 610 St. Andrews St
Who: Representative Jennifer Shilling, AD 95; Jennifer Dausey, UW La Crosse / Sierra Student Coalition; Marilyn Pedretti, Sierra Club - Coulee Region Group (invited)and You. More details.
If we want to save this train, we need to speak up now! Join us as we tell Scott Walker that Wisconsin can't afford to say NO over $800 million dollars in federal grant funds for this project, 9,570 permanent jobs, and increased property values. Let's extend the popular Hiawatha service connecting Chicago and Milwaukee. Let's create a safe, convenient efficient way to travel throughout the Midwest. We can make a difference, IF we stand together. Please attend and bring a friend!
When: Saturday, November 20th, 12:00-12:45 p.m
Where: La Crosse Amtrak Station, 610 St. Andrews St
Who: Representative Jennifer Shilling, AD 95; Jennifer Dausey, UW La Crosse / Sierra Student Coalition; Marilyn Pedretti, Sierra Club - Coulee Region Group (invited)and You. More details.
If we want to save this train, we need to speak up now! Join us as we tell Scott Walker that Wisconsin can't afford to say NO over $800 million dollars in federal grant funds for this project, 9,570 permanent jobs, and increased property values. Let's extend the popular Hiawatha service connecting Chicago and Milwaukee. Let's create a safe, convenient efficient way to travel throughout the Midwest. We can make a difference, IF we stand together. Please attend and bring a friend!
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Our view: Walker must trust rail project
From an editorial in the La Crosse Tribune:
The Tribune’s endorsement of Scott Walker for governor included this sentence: “We think Walker is absolutely wrong about high-speed rail … and he needs to understand that he’ll be the governor of the entire state, not just Milwaukee County.”
Gov.-elect Walker, we still think you’re absolutely wrong.
You said Monday that you don’t anticipate anything that will change your mind, but we suggest an overriding issue that should serve as the tipping point: If money leaves the pockets of Wisconsin taxpayers and goes to the state of New York to build high-speed rail and create jobs and commerce, it’s a lousy deal for Wisconsin.
During the campaign, Walker assured everyone that Wisconsin could take the federal money designated for extending high-speed rail from Milwaukee to Madison — more than $800 million — and use it for other infrastructure improvements, such as road and bridge repair and construction.
While we think that approach is short-sighted, at least it would have kept money earmarked for the Badger State here.
On Monday, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood — a former Republican congressman from Illinois — said that if Walker persists at halting the high-speed rail project, Wisconsin will lose that money to another state.
“None of the money provided to Wisconsin may be used for road or highway projects, or anything other than high-speed rail,” LaHood said. “Consequently, unless you change your position, we plan to engage in an orderly transition to wind down Wisconsin’s project so we do not waste taxpayers’ money.”
The Tribune’s endorsement of Scott Walker for governor included this sentence: “We think Walker is absolutely wrong about high-speed rail … and he needs to understand that he’ll be the governor of the entire state, not just Milwaukee County.”
Gov.-elect Walker, we still think you’re absolutely wrong.
You said Monday that you don’t anticipate anything that will change your mind, but we suggest an overriding issue that should serve as the tipping point: If money leaves the pockets of Wisconsin taxpayers and goes to the state of New York to build high-speed rail and create jobs and commerce, it’s a lousy deal for Wisconsin.
During the campaign, Walker assured everyone that Wisconsin could take the federal money designated for extending high-speed rail from Milwaukee to Madison — more than $800 million — and use it for other infrastructure improvements, such as road and bridge repair and construction.
While we think that approach is short-sighted, at least it would have kept money earmarked for the Badger State here.
On Monday, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood — a former Republican congressman from Illinois — said that if Walker persists at halting the high-speed rail project, Wisconsin will lose that money to another state.
“None of the money provided to Wisconsin may be used for road or highway projects, or anything other than high-speed rail,” LaHood said. “Consequently, unless you change your position, we plan to engage in an orderly transition to wind down Wisconsin’s project so we do not waste taxpayers’ money.”
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Feds allocate more dollars for Chicago-to-Twin Cites rail
From an article in BizTimes:
The federal government is allocating another $2.4 billion for high-speed rail projects across the country, on top of the $8 billion for high speed rail that was previously announced as part of the federal stimulus act, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced today.
The additional high-speed rail funds will include $44 million for the Chicago-to-Twin Cities corridor, on top of the $822 million that was allocated for the corridor earlier this year, including $810 million for the controversial Milwaukee to Madison line.
The additional $44 million for the Chicago-to-Twin Cities corridor includes $3.7 million to replace two rail bridges between Chicago and Milwaukee that will allow for higher-speed trains to travel between the two cities. The Department of Transportation announcement did not say where the bridges are located, but a recent Chicago Tribune report said the bridges are in Wadsworth, Ill.
The federal government is allocating another $2.4 billion for high-speed rail projects across the country, on top of the $8 billion for high speed rail that was previously announced as part of the federal stimulus act, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced today.
The additional high-speed rail funds will include $44 million for the Chicago-to-Twin Cities corridor, on top of the $822 million that was allocated for the corridor earlier this year, including $810 million for the controversial Milwaukee to Madison line.
The additional $44 million for the Chicago-to-Twin Cities corridor includes $3.7 million to replace two rail bridges between Chicago and Milwaukee that will allow for higher-speed trains to travel between the two cities. The Department of Transportation announcement did not say where the bridges are located, but a recent Chicago Tribune report said the bridges are in Wadsworth, Ill.
Friday, September 10, 2010
La Crosse dedicates new transit center
From an article by in The Business Journal:
The city of La Crosse this week dedicated its new Grand River Station, a seven-story facility in the downtown district designed as a “one-stop transportation hub.”
The new transit center can hold six buses and includes 12,000 square feet of retail space and 92 apartments. The center is said to be the only type of its kind in Wisconsin that combines housing, retail and transit developments under one roof, officials said.
“It’s a terrific example of what community transit leadership can accomplish by involving local, state, federal agencies and private developers,” said Gary Goyke, legislative representative for the Wisconsin Urban and Rural Transit Association.
The city of La Crosse this week dedicated its new Grand River Station, a seven-story facility in the downtown district designed as a “one-stop transportation hub.”
The new transit center can hold six buses and includes 12,000 square feet of retail space and 92 apartments. The center is said to be the only type of its kind in Wisconsin that combines housing, retail and transit developments under one roof, officials said.
“It’s a terrific example of what community transit leadership can accomplish by involving local, state, federal agencies and private developers,” said Gary Goyke, legislative representative for the Wisconsin Urban and Rural Transit Association.
Monday, August 9, 2010
High-speed rail activists seek signatures in Tomah
From an article by Jessica Larsen in The Tomah Journal:
Seven activists from the Wisconsin Public Interest Research Group hit the streets of Tomah on Tuesday in search of supporters of public transit and a high-speed rail.
The group collected about 140 signatures from residents and 23 from small-business owners.
The research group is based in Madison. Its mission: “To deliver persistent, result-oriented public interest activism that protects consumers, encourages a fair, sustainable economy, and fosters responsive, democratic government.”
The signatures collected in Tomah will be added to about 1,000 other signatures from La Crosse, Sparta and Eau Claire. Then the signatures will be combined with others statewide that the group has collected, and shipped off to Sen. Herb Kohl.
“It’s been a great success,” said group spokesman Jordan Less. “Everyone seems to think we spend too much money on gas and time in traffic. It’s a really easy campaign because it’s a good cause.”
Seven activists from the Wisconsin Public Interest Research Group hit the streets of Tomah on Tuesday in search of supporters of public transit and a high-speed rail.
The group collected about 140 signatures from residents and 23 from small-business owners.
The research group is based in Madison. Its mission: “To deliver persistent, result-oriented public interest activism that protects consumers, encourages a fair, sustainable economy, and fosters responsive, democratic government.”
The signatures collected in Tomah will be added to about 1,000 other signatures from La Crosse, Sparta and Eau Claire. Then the signatures will be combined with others statewide that the group has collected, and shipped off to Sen. Herb Kohl.
“It’s been a great success,” said group spokesman Jordan Less. “Everyone seems to think we spend too much money on gas and time in traffic. It’s a really easy campaign because it’s a good cause.”
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Group says high-speed rail will add 9,000 jobs in Wisconsin
From an article by Ilissa Gilmore in the Sheboygan Press:
ASHWAUBENON — An advocacy group said Wednesday that the high-speed rail system that will connect several Midwest cities will benefit the environment and provide more than 9,000 jobs in Wisconsin.
Members of the Wisconsin Public Interest Research Group student chapters came to the National Railroad Museum in Ashwaubenon to promote the $823 million project that will connect Green Bay, Chicago, Milwaukee, Madison, and Minneapolis-St. Paul, among other cities.
WISPIRG — which works on economic, environmental, and social concerns — is conducting its second annual tour for the system. The group also has visited Eau Claire, La Crosse and Madison and will hit Oshkosh, Milwaukee and Racine.
States need to invest in railways instead of more roads and highways, said WISPIRG student leader Sarah Seibold.
"The Midwest is behind the East Coast and Europe and Asia in railway travel," said Patricia Terry, a science professor at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. "Rails are needed to maintain our economic competitiveness."
An expanded rail system in Wisconsin would produce 9,000 new, permanent jobs, and it would reduce dependency on oil because railroads are 23 percent more fuel efficient than airplanes and 40 percent more efficient than single-passenger cars, Seibold said.
The rail system will use diesel gas before eventually moving to electricity, she said, but it would still be more efficient than standard modes of transportation. With oil dependency and gas prices on the rise, rail travel is a favorable alternative, Terry said.
ASHWAUBENON — An advocacy group said Wednesday that the high-speed rail system that will connect several Midwest cities will benefit the environment and provide more than 9,000 jobs in Wisconsin.
Members of the Wisconsin Public Interest Research Group student chapters came to the National Railroad Museum in Ashwaubenon to promote the $823 million project that will connect Green Bay, Chicago, Milwaukee, Madison, and Minneapolis-St. Paul, among other cities.
WISPIRG — which works on economic, environmental, and social concerns — is conducting its second annual tour for the system. The group also has visited Eau Claire, La Crosse and Madison and will hit Oshkosh, Milwaukee and Racine.
States need to invest in railways instead of more roads and highways, said WISPIRG student leader Sarah Seibold.
"The Midwest is behind the East Coast and Europe and Asia in railway travel," said Patricia Terry, a science professor at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. "Rails are needed to maintain our economic competitiveness."
An expanded rail system in Wisconsin would produce 9,000 new, permanent jobs, and it would reduce dependency on oil because railroads are 23 percent more fuel efficient than airplanes and 40 percent more efficient than single-passenger cars, Seibold said.
The rail system will use diesel gas before eventually moving to electricity, she said, but it would still be more efficient than standard modes of transportation. With oil dependency and gas prices on the rise, rail travel is a favorable alternative, Terry said.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Study finds market for rail in La Crosse
From an editorial in the La Crosse Tribune:
A study by a team of business students at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse found a great deal of enthusiasm for high-speed rail among La Crosse area business people.
Megan Louwagie, Brianna Murray, Bryant Poss and Chelsey Wagner conducted the study, sponsored by the La Crosse Area High-Speed Rail Coalition, for their Business 230 class, using 545 e-mail surveys returned by area business people.
The respondents were well aware of La Crosse's position as a possible stop on a proposed high-speed rail line between Chicago and the Twin Cities (an average of 4.41 on a five-point scale, on which one is "not aware" and 5 is "very aware"), and 83 percent said they would use high-speed rail to travel to destinations along the proposed La Crosse route.
Business people are generally news-savvy, and their awareness of the high-speed rail issue wasn't surprising. But the
students' original premise was that area business people wouldn't be all that interested in actually using a passenger rail system.
The data the students compiled proved their assumption incorrect, both for business and leisure travel.
The average respondent was quite interested in using such a system (4.33 on a five-point scale), and high-frequency departures and arrivals (six trains per day in each direction) would increase their use of passenger rail (4.72 on a five-point scale).
Fourteen percent of respondents reported they presently use Amtrak.
On average, business people rated the importance of bringing a high-speed rail route through the city to be a 4.01 on a five-point scale (again one being "not important" and five being "very important").
A study by a team of business students at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse found a great deal of enthusiasm for high-speed rail among La Crosse area business people.
Megan Louwagie, Brianna Murray, Bryant Poss and Chelsey Wagner conducted the study, sponsored by the La Crosse Area High-Speed Rail Coalition, for their Business 230 class, using 545 e-mail surveys returned by area business people.
The respondents were well aware of La Crosse's position as a possible stop on a proposed high-speed rail line between Chicago and the Twin Cities (an average of 4.41 on a five-point scale, on which one is "not aware" and 5 is "very aware"), and 83 percent said they would use high-speed rail to travel to destinations along the proposed La Crosse route.
Business people are generally news-savvy, and their awareness of the high-speed rail issue wasn't surprising. But the
students' original premise was that area business people wouldn't be all that interested in actually using a passenger rail system.
The data the students compiled proved their assumption incorrect, both for business and leisure travel.
The average respondent was quite interested in using such a system (4.33 on a five-point scale), and high-frequency departures and arrivals (six trains per day in each direction) would increase their use of passenger rail (4.72 on a five-point scale).
Fourteen percent of respondents reported they presently use Amtrak.
On average, business people rated the importance of bringing a high-speed rail route through the city to be a 4.01 on a five-point scale (again one being "not important" and five being "very important").
Friday, March 19, 2010
Local rail ‘summit' lobbies for high-speed line on Amtrak route
From an article by Richard Mial in the La Crosse Tribune:
One hundred high-speed rail advocates, several riding Amtrak from Minnesota, gathered Thursday in La Crosse to promote having the proposed Chicago-to-Twin Cities passenger train follow the river route used by Amtrak.
Billed as a rail "summit," the event at Train Station BBQ featured Wisconsin Transportation Secretary Frank Busalacchi and Minnesota Department of Transportation Commissioner Tom Sorel as keynote speakers.
"I really feel that this route will come out on top," said Winona, Minn., Mayor Jerry Miller, who heads the Minnesota High-Speed Rail Commission of officials from communities on Amtrak's Empire Builder line.
"That route is the only shovel-ready route," Miller told the group.
But the two state officials were noncommittal about which of three options might be chosen:
•Amtrak's Empire Builder route through Tomah, La Crosse, Winona and Red Wing into St. Paul.
•Through Rochester to the Twin Cities. Rochester has never had a passenger rail connection to the Twin Cities.
•From Madison north to Eau Claire.
The two state transportation departments will recommend a choice to the Federal Rail Administration in late 2010 or early 2011, said Tom Faella, director of the La Crosse Metropolitan Planning Organization.
Wisconsin has received $8 million in federal stimulus to upgrade the Hiawatha route between Milwaukee and Chicago, and to begin planning an extension to the Twin Cities from Madison, which will have passenger rail service from Milwaukee.
One hundred high-speed rail advocates, several riding Amtrak from Minnesota, gathered Thursday in La Crosse to promote having the proposed Chicago-to-Twin Cities passenger train follow the river route used by Amtrak.
Billed as a rail "summit," the event at Train Station BBQ featured Wisconsin Transportation Secretary Frank Busalacchi and Minnesota Department of Transportation Commissioner Tom Sorel as keynote speakers.
"I really feel that this route will come out on top," said Winona, Minn., Mayor Jerry Miller, who heads the Minnesota High-Speed Rail Commission of officials from communities on Amtrak's Empire Builder line.
"That route is the only shovel-ready route," Miller told the group.
But the two state officials were noncommittal about which of three options might be chosen:
•Amtrak's Empire Builder route through Tomah, La Crosse, Winona and Red Wing into St. Paul.
•Through Rochester to the Twin Cities. Rochester has never had a passenger rail connection to the Twin Cities.
•From Madison north to Eau Claire.
The two state transportation departments will recommend a choice to the Federal Rail Administration in late 2010 or early 2011, said Tom Faella, director of the La Crosse Metropolitan Planning Organization.
Wisconsin has received $8 million in federal stimulus to upgrade the Hiawatha route between Milwaukee and Chicago, and to begin planning an extension to the Twin Cities from Madison, which will have passenger rail service from Milwaukee.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Minnesota may drive high-speed rail route
From an article by Richard Mial in the La Crosse Tribune:
Minnesota could be a major factor in deciding whether a high-speed rail route between Chicago and the Twin Cities goes through La Crosse or Eau Claire, Gov. Jim Doyle said Tuesday.
Doyle told the Tribune Editorial Board he believes Minnesota is not nearly as organized on its rail plans as Wisconsin.
If Minnesota “is not a very strong participant,” most of the high-speed line likely would go through Wisconsin, improving Eau Claire’s chances of landing the route, Doyle said.
But from an economic point of view, Doyle added, “we’re better off having it to go La Crosse and up the Minnesota side, because then Minnesota is paying the operating costs of the whole trip from La Crosse up to the Twin Cities.”
The state and federal governments last week announced that Wisconsin will receive $823 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds to help establish high-speed passenger rail service.
The money primarily will be used to upgrade service between Chicago to Milwaukee and extend it to Madison, using an existing Amtrak line.
Included in the $823 million is $1 million to study extending the line to the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, Doyle said.
Minnesota could be a major factor in deciding whether a high-speed rail route between Chicago and the Twin Cities goes through La Crosse or Eau Claire, Gov. Jim Doyle said Tuesday.
Doyle told the Tribune Editorial Board he believes Minnesota is not nearly as organized on its rail plans as Wisconsin.
If Minnesota “is not a very strong participant,” most of the high-speed line likely would go through Wisconsin, improving Eau Claire’s chances of landing the route, Doyle said.
But from an economic point of view, Doyle added, “we’re better off having it to go La Crosse and up the Minnesota side, because then Minnesota is paying the operating costs of the whole trip from La Crosse up to the Twin Cities.”
The state and federal governments last week announced that Wisconsin will receive $823 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds to help establish high-speed passenger rail service.
The money primarily will be used to upgrade service between Chicago to Milwaukee and extend it to Madison, using an existing Amtrak line.
Included in the $823 million is $1 million to study extending the line to the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, Doyle said.
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