Editorial cartoon

WisDOT proposes delays in light of deficit (UPDATE)

Published: April 29, 2013
Tags: Hiawatha Line, Rail, WisDOT, WTBA, Zoo Interchange

State transportation officials released a new plan Monday to delay reconstruction work on southeastern Wisconsin’s freeways and scale back road aid to local governments in hopes of closing a looming deficit in the state’s transportation fund.

Amtrak’s Hiawatha line sets ridership record

Published: February 4, 2013
Tags: Amtrak, Hiawatha Line, Rail, WisDOT

For the ninth time in the last 10 years, the Amtrak Hiawatha rail line between Milwaukee and Chicago has set a ridership record.

TEA grants to support rail projects

Published: January 30, 2013
Tags: Rail, transportation economic assistance grant, WisDOT

Transportation Economic Assistance grants from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation will provide money to rail connection projects in Fond du Lac and Hubbard.

Illinois Amtrak train hits 111 mph in test run

Published: October 19, 2012
Tags: high-speed rail, Obama, Rail
Comments: 2

In a modest milestone for President Barack Obama’s high-speed rail vision, test runs started zooming along a small section of the Amtrak line between Chicago and St. Louis at 111 mph Friday.

State’s rail construction on track to grow

Published: August 28, 2012
Tags: Association of American Railroads, fracking, Jeff Plale, Mark Davis, Office of the Commissioner of Railroads, Rail, Sam Gratz, Union Pacific, Wisconsin Railroad Committee

Private companies are footing the bill for thousands of rail-related jobs in Wisconsin and it’s predicted that employment will continue to grow.

Feds reimburse state for high-speed rail

Published: June 25, 2012
Tags: high-speed rail, Jim Doyle, Rail, Scott Walker
Comments: 1

The federal government has reimbursed Wisconsin for money the state spent on a high-speed rail plan.

Training day (PHOTO SLIDESHOW)

Published: May 20, 2012
Tags: Harnack, high-speed rail, Rail, Talgo

A young boy watches out the window of a rail car during an open house Sunday at Talgo’s Milwaukee facility.

Aging transit systems grapple with repair backlog

Published: April 16, 2012
Tags: Federal Transit Administration, Rail

Driven by high gas prices and an uncertain economy, Americans are turning to trains and buses to get around in greater numbers than ever before. But the aging transit systems they’re riding face an $80 billion maintenance backlog that jeopardizes service just when it’s most in demand.

State cancels Talgo maintenance contract

Published: April 16, 2012
Tags: Amtrak, high-speed rail, Nora Friend, Rail, Talgo

The state has canceled a $166 million maintenance contract with Talgo, causing the Spanish train manufacturer to threaten legal action.