OK so it looks like WisDOT again got more Federal Money for Amtrak improvements but this time the Federral Matching Funds for the Muskego Yard bypass project. Which I am going off my head includes:
1. CTC through Muskego Yard connecting cutoff Tower divergence from the mainline all the way to where the Muskego Yard exit rejoins the mainline South of the Amtrak station.
2. Four new cross overs.
3. Six new turnouts.
4. Bridge replacements (not sure where the bridges are on that section).
5. Holding track rehab.
I think the total project price tag was set at around $50 million and will involve using Muskego Yard as a holding area for freight trains entering the Milwaukee to Chicago Mainline during times in which Amtrak has the line at capacity. CP has another holding area North of Glenview somewhere for trains waiting to enter METRA territory for the run to Bensenville.
Additionally Wisconsin before was awarded the matching funds to extend CTC from cutoff tower along the now passenger main through the Amtrak Depot and to the point where it ends right near the 2nd St crossing.
I am not even sure why taxpayers are paying for anything to do with the bypass through Muskego Yard but....looks like it is happening and CP got it's second last demand for increased Amtrak frequencies on the Chicago to Milwaukee line.
The only demand remaining was the tabled holding tracks at Glenview issue (Glenview rejected and is now viewed as dead). Two remaining options there are:
1. Triple tracking through METRA territory towards CUS to former PRR cutoff.
2. Moving some or all of CP trains to the parallel and lighter used C&NW freight line and using C&NW to access Bensenville.
CP is adamant that this last improvement needs to take place before it will agree to 10 Amtrak RT on Chicago to Milwaukee. However WisDOT seems to think the Muskego Yard bypass project will allow WisDOT to increase to 8 RT Frequencies with no issues........without fixing the Glenview congestion issue.
CMStPnP However WisDOT seems to think the Muskego Yard bypass project will allow WisDOT to increase to 8 RT Frequencies with no issues........without fixing the Glenview congestion issue.
I'm thinking that it facilitates the 'rest' of concern with accomplishing the 8 RT... leaving it for pressure to be put on Glenview to approve the holding tracks there when 'all the other communities' -- full of commuting voters who can be easily 'woke' and then community-organized around precisely what little burg is responsible for their collective pain -- start bringing pressure to bear on the NIMBY elements in Glenview.
The bridges along the freight route through Muskego are as follows
83.4 Connection just west of KK Bridge
Br 83.95 Greenfield Ave
Br 84.14 Washington Ave
Br 84.31 National Ave
Br 84.73 1st St
Br 84.80 2nd St
Br 85.24 Burnham Canal
87.0 Cutoff
The first 3 are common bridges with the passenger main. The last 3 are after the freight route diverges into the yard area. Would be interested to know what the scope of the bridge work will be. Burnham itself could eat all that money.
steve14 The bridges along the freight route through Muskego are as follows 83.4 Connection just west of KK Bridge Br 83.95 Greenfield Ave Br 84.14 Washington Ave Br 84.31 National Ave Br 84.73 1st St Br 84.80 2nd St Br 85.24 Burnham Canal 87.0 Cutoff The first 3 are common bridges with the passenger main. The last 3 are after the freight route diverges into the yard area. Would be interested to know what the scope of the bridge work will be. Burnham itself could eat all that money.
Yes, it is a very vague category so far that just says "bridge replacement" without specifying which one or where or if it is a replacement or rehab.
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