Overview
- The state submitted the grant application on June 25 requesting $218.2 million to cover 80% of a $272.8 million plan to extend Hiawatha service west to Pewaukee, Watertown and Madison.
- The proposal would add up to two daily round-trips using existing freight-owned tracks and fund one-time work such as bridge rehabilitation, track and crossing upgrades, and temporary ADA-accessible platforms.
- Amtrak projects roughly 260,000 additional annual trips on the extension and estimates service could begin around 2030 if the federal award, engineering studies and local approvals proceed smoothly.
- Wisconsin officials say the project would create about 200 permanent jobs and about $46 million in annual economic benefits while requiring the state to cover a $54.6 million capital share and provide a $2.5 million yearly operating subsidy.
- The plan revives a long-running push to restore passenger rail to Madison that stalled after a canceled 2009–2010 high-speed deal with Talgo and now hinges on a USDOT decision expected in the coming months.