From an article by Laurie Ritger in the Fond du Lac Reporter:
The prospect of a pricey high-speed rail project in Wisconsin packed a Fond du Lac meeting room Thursday night as the pros and cons of the project were debated.
Citizens interested in high-speed rail heard about a plan to construct a rail line that would be part of the Milwaukee-Twin Cities High Speed Rail Corridor. Many of those attending drove considerable distances to attend the meeting.
Charles Quandel, chief executive officer of Quandel Engineering Services of Chicago, led the presentation Thursday night. He noted much more work needs to be done as experts study numerous alternatives, including one that could travel through Fond du Lac, the Fox Valley and Stevens Point before heading to Eau Claire and Minnesota.
"What part of the message of Nov. 2 (election of Scott Walker as governor) do you not understand?" asked Ron Schmitz of Fond du Lac as applause rang out.
Walker has vowed not to accept $800 million in federal stimulus dollars earmarked for the rail line. Concerns have been raised about the estimated $7.5 million a year in ongoing costs to be paid by the state. . . .
David Sartori of the Milwaukee suburb of Cudahy said he is convinced high-speed rail is "the future."
He said it would create family-supporting jobs for future generations.
"This (federal) grant has been a real blessing, and it would be just devastating, just a shame if we returned this money to the government," he said.
Many in the audience laughed when he said the train is the "greatest invention since the invention of sliced Wisconsin cheese."
Andy Olsen, senior policy advocate with Environmental Law & Policy Center, based in Madison, was passionate in his statements about high-speed rail and how it makes sense for the state. Olsen was sitting near Kathy Lefebre of Green Bay, who said she enjoys riding the train.
Showing posts with label Trains. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Trains. Show all posts
Friday, December 3, 2010
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
High-speed rail hearing set for Fond du Lac, Dec. 2
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation is holding a series of public hearings around the state in the next week, and these hearings could make or break the future of high speed rail in Wisconsin.
This is our chance to stand together and send a message loud and clear to our public leaders that Wisconsin supports high speed rail.
The meetings will run from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. and will take place in the following cities over the next week:
Thursday, Dec. 2 in Fond du Lac at UW-Fond du Lact campus, 400 University Drive in Fond du Lac.
Tuesday, Dec. 7 in Madison at the WisDOT Southwest Region Office, 2101 Wright Street
If you can't attend one of the hearings, you can still make your voice heard by signing our 'Save the Train' letter to Governor-elect Scott Walker at https://secure3.convio.net/pn/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=576.
This is our chance to stand together and send a message loud and clear to our public leaders that Wisconsin supports high speed rail.
The meetings will run from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. and will take place in the following cities over the next week:
Thursday, Dec. 2 in Fond du Lac at UW-Fond du Lact campus, 400 University Drive in Fond du Lac.
Tuesday, Dec. 7 in Madison at the WisDOT Southwest Region Office, 2101 Wright Street
If you can't attend one of the hearings, you can still make your voice heard by signing our 'Save the Train' letter to Governor-elect Scott Walker at https://secure3.convio.net/pn/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=576.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Rally for trains this Saturday! Noon, Nov. 20, Oshkosh
Join us as we tell Scott Walker that Wisconsin can't afford to say NO over $800 million dollars in federal grant funds for this project, 9,570 permanent jobs, and increased property values.
When: Saturday, November 20th, 12:00PM - 12:45 PM
Where: Rainbow Memorial Park (corner of Veterans Trail and Rainbow Dr; To Be Confirmed)
Who: Paul Aird, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, Janet Moldenhauer, Sierra Club - Fox Valley Group, and You. More details.
If we want to save this train, we need to speak up now! Join us as we tell Scott Walker that Wisconsin can't afford to say NO over $800 million dollars in federal grant funds for this project, 9,570 permanent jobs, and increased property values. Let's extend the popular Hiawatha service connecting Chicago and Milwaukee. Let's create a safe, convenient efficient way to travel throughout the Midwest. We can make a difference, IF we stand together. Please attend and bring a friend!
When: Saturday, November 20th, 12:00PM - 12:45 PM
Where: Rainbow Memorial Park (corner of Veterans Trail and Rainbow Dr; To Be Confirmed)
Who: Paul Aird, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, Janet Moldenhauer, Sierra Club - Fox Valley Group, and You. More details.
If we want to save this train, we need to speak up now! Join us as we tell Scott Walker that Wisconsin can't afford to say NO over $800 million dollars in federal grant funds for this project, 9,570 permanent jobs, and increased property values. Let's extend the popular Hiawatha service connecting Chicago and Milwaukee. Let's create a safe, convenient efficient way to travel throughout the Midwest. We can make a difference, IF we stand together. Please attend and bring a friend!
Friday, November 5, 2010
Trainmaker Talgo says future in Wisconsin uncertain
From a story on WISN-TV, Milwaukee
MILWAUKEE -- Trainmaker Talgo Inc. said Friday it can't promise it will stay in Milwaukee if Wisconsin scuttles its plans for a high-speed rail project as Gov.-elect Scott Walker has proposed.
Talgo has enough work to keep it in Wisconsin through early 2012, but its prospects beyond that are as uncertain as the rail project's future, company spokeswoman Nora Friend said.
"Until two days ago we were telling (employees) there was definitely potential for growth," she told The Associated Press. "Now we have to tell them the truth, that it all depends on what the government decides to do."
Walker, the Republican who was elected governor this week, has criticized the high-speed rail project that would link Madison and Milwaukee as a waste of taxpayer money. He has vowed to shut down the $810 million project, which is being funded by federal stimulus money.
Outgoing Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle on Thursday ordered contractors to suspend work on the train line while his administration considered the potential impact of killing the project.
Neither he nor Walker immediately returned a message Friday.
Talgo agreed to locate its Wisconsin site at a former automotive plant in Milwaukee in March after the city agreed to invest $3 million to convert and upgrade the facility. Talgo said at the time it planned to create 125 local jobs, not including additional work for vendors and suppliers.
Friend said the company expected to have 40 employees by the end of the month, but said she could no longer make any staffing predictions beyond that.
MILWAUKEE -- Trainmaker Talgo Inc. said Friday it can't promise it will stay in Milwaukee if Wisconsin scuttles its plans for a high-speed rail project as Gov.-elect Scott Walker has proposed.
Talgo has enough work to keep it in Wisconsin through early 2012, but its prospects beyond that are as uncertain as the rail project's future, company spokeswoman Nora Friend said.
"Until two days ago we were telling (employees) there was definitely potential for growth," she told The Associated Press. "Now we have to tell them the truth, that it all depends on what the government decides to do."
Walker, the Republican who was elected governor this week, has criticized the high-speed rail project that would link Madison and Milwaukee as a waste of taxpayer money. He has vowed to shut down the $810 million project, which is being funded by federal stimulus money.
Outgoing Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle on Thursday ordered contractors to suspend work on the train line while his administration considered the potential impact of killing the project.
Neither he nor Walker immediately returned a message Friday.
Talgo agreed to locate its Wisconsin site at a former automotive plant in Milwaukee in March after the city agreed to invest $3 million to convert and upgrade the facility. Talgo said at the time it planned to create 125 local jobs, not including additional work for vendors and suppliers.
Friend said the company expected to have 40 employees by the end of the month, but said she could no longer make any staffing predictions beyond that.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Time for high-speed rail has arrived
From an editorial in the Appleton Post-Crescent:
Putting high-speed rail in Wisconsin has been debated — and dismissed — for decades.
Now, with the promise of $800 million in federal dollars, it's time to put skepticism aside and get on board. As part of the $8 billion package of rail grants Congress approved last year, it provides money to build up the tracks and start operation of a high-speed rail service between downtown Milwaukee and Madison. The money also would cover improvements to the Amtrak Hiawatha line connecting Milwaukee and Chicago that will serve as the foundation for a 110-mph service along that route. We could have high-speed rail operating as soon as 2013.
Though it's only planned now to connect the state's two largest cities — with stops along the way in Brookfield, Oconomowoc and Watertown — service could be expanded in the future to include other parts of the state, such as the Fox Cities and Green Bay. Already, there's talk of extending the high-speed line from Madison to the Twin Cities.
In the short-term, the rail project means hiring workers to upgrade and maintain the track, along with others to operate and administrate the service. Gov. Jim Doyle has estimated the project could create as many as 13,000 jobs. Even if that estimate is inflated, it will stimulate the economy in many ways.
If those touting the rail service focus primarily on the business traveler, they could capture a part of the market currently using air travel. As flying becomes an increasing hassle, passenger rail will look attractive for short trips. Companies also may be more apt to move into areas where there is high-speed rail.
Putting high-speed rail in Wisconsin has been debated — and dismissed — for decades.
Now, with the promise of $800 million in federal dollars, it's time to put skepticism aside and get on board. As part of the $8 billion package of rail grants Congress approved last year, it provides money to build up the tracks and start operation of a high-speed rail service between downtown Milwaukee and Madison. The money also would cover improvements to the Amtrak Hiawatha line connecting Milwaukee and Chicago that will serve as the foundation for a 110-mph service along that route. We could have high-speed rail operating as soon as 2013.
Though it's only planned now to connect the state's two largest cities — with stops along the way in Brookfield, Oconomowoc and Watertown — service could be expanded in the future to include other parts of the state, such as the Fox Cities and Green Bay. Already, there's talk of extending the high-speed line from Madison to the Twin Cities.
In the short-term, the rail project means hiring workers to upgrade and maintain the track, along with others to operate and administrate the service. Gov. Jim Doyle has estimated the project could create as many as 13,000 jobs. Even if that estimate is inflated, it will stimulate the economy in many ways.
If those touting the rail service focus primarily on the business traveler, they could capture a part of the market currently using air travel. As flying becomes an increasing hassle, passenger rail will look attractive for short trips. Companies also may be more apt to move into areas where there is high-speed rail.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Editorial: Green Bay needs to get on fast track
From an editorial in the Green Bay Press Gazette:
As the state and federal governments press forward to improve passenger rail service through the Midwest, Green Bay and other points north of Madison and Milwaukee must have a respected voice in that discussion.
With the announcement last week that the federal government will send Wisconsin $823 million under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the state is on track to start construction of a high-speed railroad line between Milwaukee and Madison by the end of this year. The line would carry people between those cities and Chicago at speeds of up to 110 mph by 2013.
The project also includes planning and environmental work to lay the groundwork to continue the line through to Minneapolis-St. Paul.
Wisconsin Commerce Secretary Richard Leinenkugel said he saw the economic development implications when he accompanied Gov. Jim Doyle to Spain last year. During a visit with the Green Bay Press-Gazette editorial board Monday, he described a community about an hour's drive south of Madrid that has blossomed since a high-speed rail station cut the traveling time in half. . . .
The White House fact sheet describing the Madison-Milwaukee project notes that 76 percent of Wisconsin's total population lives within 30 miles of the stations in that corridor. But a review of the latest U.S. Census estimates reveals that half of the rest of the state's population lives in Brown, Outagamie, Winnebago and Fond du Lac counties.
In other words, advance the link between Green Bay and Milwaukee and almost 90 percent of the state's population would have access, and the possibilities of widening economic beyond the Milwaukee-Madison corridor also would improve. To put a finer point on the matter, the state will be called upon to pay its share of any high-speed rail project and Northeastern Wisconsin must be considered more than an upstate revenue source for a downstate project.
As the state and federal governments press forward to improve passenger rail service through the Midwest, Green Bay and other points north of Madison and Milwaukee must have a respected voice in that discussion.
With the announcement last week that the federal government will send Wisconsin $823 million under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the state is on track to start construction of a high-speed railroad line between Milwaukee and Madison by the end of this year. The line would carry people between those cities and Chicago at speeds of up to 110 mph by 2013.
The project also includes planning and environmental work to lay the groundwork to continue the line through to Minneapolis-St. Paul.
Wisconsin Commerce Secretary Richard Leinenkugel said he saw the economic development implications when he accompanied Gov. Jim Doyle to Spain last year. During a visit with the Green Bay Press-Gazette editorial board Monday, he described a community about an hour's drive south of Madrid that has blossomed since a high-speed rail station cut the traveling time in half. . . .
The White House fact sheet describing the Madison-Milwaukee project notes that 76 percent of Wisconsin's total population lives within 30 miles of the stations in that corridor. But a review of the latest U.S. Census estimates reveals that half of the rest of the state's population lives in Brown, Outagamie, Winnebago and Fond du Lac counties.
In other words, advance the link between Green Bay and Milwaukee and almost 90 percent of the state's population would have access, and the possibilities of widening economic beyond the Milwaukee-Madison corridor also would improve. To put a finer point on the matter, the state will be called upon to pay its share of any high-speed rail project and Northeastern Wisconsin must be considered more than an upstate revenue source for a downstate project.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)