by jboullion | Jan 26, 2009 | Uncategorized
From a story by Brian Moon on WRN.com:
The Kenosha-Racine-Milwaukee Passenger train should be built, according to a Milwaukee County official. County Board Member Chris Larson is reacting to a recent study by Tom Rubin of the Reason Foundation which, citing high costs, favors an expanded commuter bus service instead of the regional passenger rail. Larson agrees with Rubin’s assertion that the rapid buses could operate along the I-94 corridor without having to add new lanes. However, he claims by Rubin’s own admission, lakeside transit would be most efficient with a rail system.
The County Supervisor supports developing the KRM rail while restoring the decaying Milwaukee County bus line. He says the funding could come from a 1% sales tax already been approved by voters in a referendum last November. Larson hopes the tax hike will clear state lawmakers and believes a portion of the tax hike could go toward regional transit.
But Milwaukee County can’t pay for it alone. Larson hopes Racine and Kenosha Counties will follow his county’s example of a sales tax hike referendum.
by jboullion | Jan 23, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article by Ellyn Ferguson in the Appleton Post-Crescent:
WASHINGTON — Wisconsin could quickly and effectively spend any rail money Congress provides in an economic recovery package, Gov. Jim Doyle said Thursday.
Doyle and others were called by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to rebut a federal report that said states could not use economic recovery money for roads, bridges and transit quickly enough to generate jobs and counter the recession.
States would have to commit money to projects within a 90-day deadline.
Opponents of the infrastructure portion of the $825 billion economic recovery package have used the report by the Congressional Budget Office, the fiscal watchdog for Congress, to fight the bill.
“The purpose of this hearing today is to nail down the ability of the states to meet these deadlines,” committee chairman Rep. Jim Oberstar, D-Minn., said.
Oberstar said transportation and infrastructure projects could produce 1 million jobs by early June if Congress approves the economic recovery package by mid-February.
“We share your view that this recovery act should be designed to get people to work,” said Doyle, who testified on behalf of States for Passenger Rail Coalition.
by jboullion | Jan 21, 2009 | Uncategorized
An article by By Scott Williams of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
Elected leaders here have thrown their support behind a proposed network of high-speed commuter trains linking Milwaukee and Madison.
The Oconomowoc Common Council voted Tuesday to support the Midwest Regional Rail System, which would pass through Oconomowoc.
Gov. Jim Doyle and other proponents of the system envision it as part of a 3,000-mile network linking Milwaukee and Chicago to many other Midwestern cities.
The mayor of Winona, Minn., has been soliciting support from communities along the route between the Twin Cities and Chicago.
In addition to Oconomowoc, those communities include Milwaukee, Watertown and Wisconsin Dells.
by jboullion | Jan 5, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an announcement on the Web site of the The Wisconsin Department of Transportation:
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation(WisDOT) is seeking public comments on its draft long-range transportation plan, Connections 2030. A public meeting will be held in La Crosse, WI at the UW-La Crosse Cartwright Center, on Thursday, Jan. 8, from 5 to 8 p.m. La Crosse area residents are invited to attend to learn about the plan, ask questions, and submit comments.
WisDOT also welcomes comments and questions via phone at (608) 266-8108, or on the Connections 2030 Web site at: www.wiconnections2030.gov. Comments will be received until Feb. 27, 2009.
Connections 2030 is a statewide, multimodal transportation plan that provides a vision for highways, local roads, air, water, rail, bicycle, pedestrian, and transit through the year 2030. Its policies and recommendations direct WisDOT’s activities in areas such as preserving transportation infrastructure and services, promoting transportation safety, and supporting economic growth.
The plan will guide transportation decisions over the next 20 years. It focuses on the transportation system’s ability to support the preservation of transportation services and infrastructure, safe travel on all modes, mobility for all citizens, security and efficiency in all areas of operation, and economic growth throughout Wisconsin.
by jboullion | Dec 23, 2008 | Uncategorized
From an editorial in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
Transit supporters have taken a couple of hits recently, casting doubt on both the creation of a regional transit authority and system, and the development of a critical element of such a system, a commuter rail line linking Milwaukee, Racine and Kenosha. Nevertheless, the transit authority and the KRM line are still proposals that deserve widespread support if the region wants to build effective regional mass transit that would provide a number of benefits, including fostering economic development.
A regional transit system could improve bus service in Milwaukee County and other areas, as well as help create better intercounty connections to help workers get to jobs. The KRM can help provide a reliable speedy mass transit link along the eastern edge of the region from downtown Milwaukee to Kenosha.
