Southern Wisconsin might witness a significant enhancement in its passenger rail network by the end of the decade, with Amtrak proposing new rail stations operational by 2029 or 2030.
The new initiative aims to expand the Hiawatha route, which connects Chicago and Milwaukee, by adding stops in Madison, Watertown, and Pewaukee. This proposal is detailed in the Hiawatha West expansion plan.
While the plans are promising, they hinge on securing necessary funding and approvals from multiple government levels. Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway expresses optimism, stating, “The community is really excited about it, so I’m very hopeful that we could actually achieve this in the next couple of years.”
Passenger rail service in Madison was discontinued in the 1970s, and efforts to revive it have been ongoing. Despite setbacks, such as the rejection of $800 million in federal funding for a high-speed rail project by former Governor Scott Walker, the push continues.
Madison has been consistently identified as a strategic location for an Amtrak stop, reinforcing its potential in multiple studies and reports.
The current Hiawatha service, which also makes stops in Glenview and Sturtevant, recorded 681,000 passenger trips last year, ranking it among the busiest Amtrak routes. The proposed extension is expected to add approximately 260,000 annual trips, as highlighted by Amtrak Senior Project Manager Patrick Higgins in a public presentation.
Rhodes-Conway underscores the project’s potential benefits, noting, “It is good for our economy. It’s good for our business community. It’s good for tourism. It’s good for our sports teams.”
As part of the development process, Amtrak is crafting a service development plan, with completion expected in June. The subsequent phase will utilize secured federal funding for preliminary engineering and environmental assessments.
The total cost for the Hiawatha West extension is projected to range from $215 million to $275 million, with federal grants potentially covering up to 80% of these expenses. The remaining funds would need to be sourced from local and state governments.
While Assembly Speaker Robin Vos has opposed state funding for the extension, his decision not to seek reelection opens possibilities for new legislative support. State involvement is crucial for the project’s advancement, and discussions with legislators and the governor’s office are ongoing.
Temporary platforms are part of the initial plan to facilitate early train access to new stops, with East Wilson Street in downtown Madison being considered for a temporary station. A permanent station proposal involves the sale of the former Wisconsin Department of Health Services building to Landmark Development Services Co., pending legislative approval.
The infrastructure for the Hiawatha West extension would initially support train speeds up to 59 mph, with future enhancements potentially increasing speeds to 79 mph. Looking ahead, there is potential for further extension to connect Madison with Eau Claire and the Twin Cities.
