A Madison destination is now part of the collective vision and initiative of nine Midwestern states, AMTRAK, and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). Their study proposes modern, swift rail travel between major metropolitan areas Ð a Midwest Regional Rail System (MWRRS).

Why a Midwest Regional Passenger Rail SystemÉand why now?

· AMTRAK and the FRA have designated this nine state region as one of five for higher speed rail corridors.

· AMTRAK is advancing $25 million to help start this regionÕs collaborative plan, with $2 million of that allocated for preliminary engineering of the Milwaukee-Madison route.

· Through cooperative effort, planners can design efficient projects, using large scale, discount purchasing.

· Modern, high frequency service can move eight million people annually through this area, helping to relieve airport and highway overload, lessening congestion and emission pollution.

What will be different from existing rail services?

· More Connections:

· 80% of the regionÕs population within a one-hour drive of a MWRRS station or a feeder bus connection that will be integral to the system.

· 3000 track miles to handle 15 million train miles annually.

· Six daily trains to/from Madison and Chicago or St. Paul.

· Faster Travel Times!

· Milwaukee-Chicago: in 65 minutes

· Chicago-St. Paul: 5 1/2 hours

· Speeds up to 110 mph

· Better Passenger Services!

· Comfortable seats, on-board amenities, fax and telephone

· Seatside power and modem ports; audio-video monitors for information and entertainment

· Modern stations with links to airports, hotels, key locations.

What Capital Investment Will Be Required?

· Infrastructure - $3 billion

· Train Sets - $470 million

· Infrastructure Upgrades of about $1 million per mile (compared with $5 to $10 million per mile for rural interstate and $10 to $20 million per urban expressway)

What Are the Economic Benefits?

· 1500 new permanent rail jobs and 4000 construction jobs

· Commercial revitalization and redevelopment around stations

· Manufacturing, services, tourism, conventions.

What Are the Operating Costs?

· By 2010, annual operating costs should be #347 million.

· After a two year start-up period, system revenues should exceed system operating costs in all corridors.

· Revenue surpluses can be used to recover the initial investment made by the states, as well as pay for system expansion and preservation.

How and When Will This Happen?

· The study commissioned by transportation departments of the nine states, AMTRAK, and the FRA, describes a six phase development period that places the Madison connection to the Chicago hub in Phase One, along with St. Louis and Detroit. Full system operation is projected incrementally over nine years, with the first phase beginning operation in 2003, following a three year design, engineering and development period.

-Issued by ProRail, the Madison Area chapter of the Wisconsin Association of Railroad Passengers. ProRail is a nonpartisan, nonprofit, dues-and-contribution supported membership organization whose volunteers work to improve and expand rail passenger service in Wisconsin and throughout the Nation. For membership and other information, write to ProRail, P.O. Box 5401, Madison, WI 53705-0401.


Back to the March/April Table of Contents