Tuesday, February 16, 2010

 

Taylor Celebrates Milwaukee to Madison High Speed Rail Approval

Finance Committee accepts federal grant; rail improvements spur jobs, economic growth

(MADISON) Senator Lena C Taylor (D-Milwaukee) today celebrated the approval of high-speed rail between Milwaukee and Madison and improvements to the Milwaukee to Chicago rail line. The Joint Finance Committee approved the project funding this morning by a 12-4 vote to accept the federal grant under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

“High-speed rail is a significant tool and asset Wisconsin can use to grow our economy and create jobs,” Taylor commented. “In this package, daily rail service from Chicago to Madison is created, with Milwaukee being the central hub of service. This can only lead to growth and investment in Milwaukee.”

The committee approved the 810 million dollar award for the development of the high-speed rail lines and 12 million dollars in investments in upgrades in passenger service infrastructure at Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee and Truesdell crossover in Kenosha. Construction will begin on high speed rail systems later this year.

“In 2010 we will finally break ground on this high-speed rail initiative, which has historically been a bi-partisan project,” Taylor concluded. “Tommy Thompson submitted the original application for this service, Scott McCallum’s administration completed the environmental studies, and now Democrats are approving this project over the objection of Republicans. Job creation and moving Wisconsin forward is not a subject for partisan objections.”

Taylor and her Democratic colleagues on the committee voted to approve the funding. Republicans voted

against the high-speed rail system investment.