Twin Cities-Milwaukee-Chicago rail gets $31.8 million federal boost
Improvements double available round trips for passengers, aid freight efficiency
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) together with the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) today announced a $31.8 million federal grant for station and rail segment improvements to double passenger rail service and increase freight efficiency along the corridor that connects the Twin Cities, La Crosse, Milwaukee and Chicago.
The Twin Cities-Milwaukee-Chicago (TCMC) Intercity Passenger Rail Project adds a second daily passenger rail round-trip along the corridor shared by Amtrak Empire Builder and Hiawatha Service trains. When combined with the Empire Builder, the corridor will offer two daily round trips between St. Paul and Chicago. The TCMC added round trip is expected to begin in 2024 or sooner. Rail improvements will ease train congestion, modernize sections of track and speed the movement of freight.
“MnDOT is proud to be a partner in this effort to expand service on the TCMC corridor,” said Interim MnDOT Commissioner Nancy Daubenberger. “We are excited about the tremendous benefits that this project will deliver to Minnesotans, including all who work, play, travel or attend a higher education institution along this corridor. This grant is an important piece in our shared goals to enhance our regional economies, from the Twin Cities metro area to our thriving small towns in Greater Minnesota.”
“FRA is committed to supporting states, local communities, and industry to advance passenger and freight opportunities that grow economies, strengthen supply chains, and improve options for riders,” said FRA Administrator Amit Bose. “The Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Grant Program, which made this nearly $32 million federal investment possible, is funded at even higher levels over the next five years thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This funding means even more opportunities like this one to advance transformational rail projects going forward.”
“Through the leadership of Administrator Bose, strong partnerships with state and local leaders in Wisconsin and Minnesota, and our productive relationship with Canadian Pacific, we are moving the addition of Amtrak service between the Twin Cities, Milwaukee and Chicago to the forefront of our growth efforts,” Amtrak President and CEO Stephen Gardner said. “While we cannot announce a TCMC start date – yet – know all of us working together can make this happen in months instead of years.”
The 411-mile corridor between St. Paul and Chicago will be served by two daily round trips, with departures planned for each city in the morning and mid-day. The first year of service is projected to serve more than 124,000 riders. More information about the route can be found at: https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/projects/multimodal/tcmc.aspx.
Improvements to the line are expected to save $34.7 million in freight costs over the next 30 years of operation. Grade crossing improvements will reduce gate-down times, and capacity improvements increase efficiency.
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.
More about the TCMC train
- Pete Buttigieg Tours Port With Mayor, Rides Train With Governor - Jeramey Jannene - Jul 31st, 2024
- New Twin Cities-Milwaukee-Chicago Train Starts May 21 - Jeramey Jannene - May 1st, 2024
- Wisconsin Planning Passenger Trains To Green Bay, Madison - Jeramey Jannene - May 26th, 2023
- Chicago, Milwaukee, Twin Cities Train Could Start in Late 2023 - Gaby Vinick - Feb 24th, 2023
- Transportation: TCMC Train Poised for 2024 Start - Jeramey Jannene - Mar 10th, 2022
- Twin Cities-Milwaukee-Chicago rail gets $31.8 million federal boost - Wisconsin Department of Transportation - Mar 9th, 2022
- Transportation: Biden Infrastructure Plan Adds Amtrak Service To Madison, Green Bay - Jeramey Jannene - Apr 1st, 2021
- Committee to hear file in support of TCMC Railway service expansion - Ald. Bob Bauman - Mar 30th, 2021
- Transportation: Feedback Wanted On Proposed Second Train to Twin Cities - Jeramey Jannene - Mar 25th, 2021
- Transportation: Second Daily Train to Twin Cities Moving Forward - Jeramey Jannene - Sep 23rd, 2020
Read more about TCMC train here
Mentioned in This Press Release
Recent Press Releases by Wisconsin Department of Transportation
WisDOT showcases initiatives to improve safety on Wisconsin roads
Jul 30th, 2024 by Wisconsin Department of TransportationCommunity members and transportation partners joined the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) for a special event Tuesday in Madison showcasing the partnerships and programs designed to improve safety throughout Wisconsin’s transportation system.