Baldwin, Evers Secure Nearly $220 Million for Passenger Rail Between Chicago and Waukesha, Jefferson, and Dane Counties
Hiawatha West Project will build out train route from Chicago to Madison, while also improving freight rail safety, speeds, and reliability
WISCONSIN – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers announced they have successfully secured over $218 million in federal funds to expand Amtrak’s Hiawatha passenger rail service in Wisconsin while strengthening a critical freight corridor that supports Wisconsin’s economy. Specifically, a Federal Railroad Administration program will fund the final design and construction of the Hiawatha West Project, creating an intercity passenger service between Chicago and Waukesha, Jefferson, and Dane Counties. The Hiawatha West Project, which is funded by the Baldwin-backed Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and annual government funding bills, will also improve freight rail safety, speeds, and reliability, create 200 permanent jobs, and spur $46 million in annual economic benefits.
“Expanding passenger rail means more safe, easy ways to get to and from work or school, more tourists coming into our communities and buying things in our shops, and more good-paying jobs across our state,” said Senator Baldwin. “For our agricultural and manufacturing businesses that use freight rail, this investment will reduce delays and give them reliability and confidence that their products are getting in the hands of customers on time. I am proud to work with Governor Evers to bring home this investment to get folks where they need to go safely, support our Main Street businesses, and keep Wisconsin’s agricultural and manufacturing industries the powerhouses they are.”
“We’ve been working hard to build the safe, reliable 21st-century infrastructure needed to support Wisconsin’s growing 21st-century economy and workforce, and we’re excited to move this critical project forward to do just that,” said Gov. Evers. “We’re creating new passenger rail opportunities for folks to get to and from work, school, and other activities, all while creating 200 good-paying, family-supporting jobs that fuel our economy, and that’s a win-win for Wisconsin. I’m grateful for all the good work Sen. Baldwin and the historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law have done to support essential projects like these across our state.”
Image from Baldwin’s office.
Senator Baldwin advocated to the Trump Administration to fund this project, citing increased tourism and economic activity along the route, reduced delays and improved reliability for Wisconsin’s agricultural and manufacturing sectors, and increased safe transportation options for families and workers.
The federal funding comes from the Federal Railroad Administration’s Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) program and will be used to rehabilitate and expand the capacity of track, bridges, and crossings, and construct new intercity passenger rail stations. CRISI is supported by the Baldwin-backed Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which all of Wisconsin’s Republican congressional delegation voted against, and also Fiscal Year 2025 and Fiscal Year 2026 annual government funding bills, which Senator Baldwin voted for.
The investment comes after Baldwin and Evers recently secured more than $140 million from the Federal Railroad Administration to update up to 41 passenger locomotives, which serve Amtrak’s Midwest and Pacific Northwest routes, including the Milwaukee-Chicago Hiawatha route.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
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