Amtrak Service Expansion to Green Bay Moves Forward

Plans to expand Amtrak service from Milwaukee to Green Bay are advancing, with a clear path toward completion despite initial setbacks. The project aims to improve rail service and boost regional connectivity. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

In December 2023, WisDOT received a $500,000 grant from the Federal Railroad Administration to study new Amtrak routes, including a potential line from Milwaukee to Green Bay. The first phase of the project is nearing completion, with consultants set to submit an initial report by June.

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Amtrak Service Development Plan

Step two will develop a comprehensive service plan, including ridership estimates and required infrastructure updates. This phase will take approximately three years to complete.

However, the state must match 10% of the federal funding before this can move forward. Governor Evers included this amount in his biennial budget proposal, and local municipalities, such as Green Bay, are actively supporting the initiative.

Community Support for Amtrak Expansion

Mayor Eric Genrich highlighted the value of the expansion for Green Bay and surrounding areas. “The proposed rail service will provide vital transportation options, benefiting over a million people,” he said. Rueff, representing NEW Rails, also emphasized the broader benefits of improved rail service.

Expanding Amtrak service to Green Bay would increase access to rail for more communities, boosting economic growth and reducing environmental impact.

Once state funding is secured, the project will enter phase three, focusing on environmental assessments and engineering design. The remaining stages will include final design and construction, though funding details for these phases are still being worked out.

Other proposed routes under consideration include connecting Eau Claire to the Twin Cities, Milwaukee to Madison to Eau Claire, and Chicago through La Crosse to St. Paul. The Green Bay extension, however, requires minimal new infrastructure, offering a unique advantage for expedient development.

By building on existing Hiawatha Service infrastructure, this new line will provide much-needed connections across Northeast Wisconsin, offering residents more travel options and boosting the local economy.

Source: fox11online.com

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