OK so it looks like the funding for the second daily Amtrak frequency between Chicago, Milwaukee and St Paul has gone through via grants from the Feds. The next step as I understand it is negotiations with the Canadian Pacific Railway over new track and/or signals to accomodate the new frequency. Part of this new train was a strong suggestion from Minnesota that Wisconsin DOT build an Amtrak station in Pewaukee, WI to handle traffic from Milwaukees Western Suburbs. Minnesota's demographic marketing studies showed that the most optimal placement for such a station would be near or close to the WCTC exit from Highway 16. I have not heard anything yet from WisDOT on this new station and if it will be like the Mitchell Field Airport Station or staffed. However, as I stated above they are just now entering into the infrastructure needed negotiations with CP. So this will be interesting to follow. Tentatively WisDOT has thrown a projected and very tentative start date for the new train as Fall 2021 or sometime in 2022 depending on how negotiations go and the project timelines for improvements CP Rail asks for.
The Trains NewsWire article indicated the grant was for design work. Is there more to the story? Won't they need funding for actual construction of the added infrastructure? Also money for new trainset(s). Have the states also committed funds for the subsidy?
MidlandMike The Trains NewsWire article indicated the grant was for design work. Is there more to the story? Won't they need funding for actual construction of the added infrastructure? Also money for new trainset(s). Have the states also committed funds for the subsidy?
That is an incorrect interpretation, I am not going to go back and look at what the Newswire article says but it is real obvious to me that you are NOT going to spend $31 million on design for a rail corridor that is largely in place and already sees Rail Passenger Service at the same projected speeds. Also, other news sources say the $31 million is to pay for rail improvements, so if Trains Newswire says that then it is not accurate. Is that the final infrastructure cost? They have to negotiate still.
Earlier the Feds contribution to the startup and operating subsidy was secured and it was $12.6 million. Wisconsin has bonding authority to cover it's match for those funds. No clue about Minnesota but I suspect they are going to attempt to cover their costs in the same manner. Last I heard Minnesota rejected the bond sale in 2019 and it would be tried again in 2020. No further info than that but I don't see issues on the Minnesota side since this is their initiative and the Minnesota costs would be smaller than Wisconsin and a more favorable for the state to say YES than NO.
Trainsets is unclear at the moment if that would be Amtraks contribution in lieu of capital or if they would use trainsets from Midwest HSR specifically one from the Chicago to Milwaukee service that was just purchased and another for Minnesota (from the Midwest pool.....or needs to be purchased?).
https://www.twincities.com/2020/09/22/ramsey-county-commissioner-announces-31-8-million-federal-grant-for-second-amtrak-train/
https://trn.trains.com/news/news-wire/2020/09/23-effort-to-launch-second-chicago-twin-cities-amtrak-train-receives-$318-million-grant
charlie hebdo https://www.twincities.com/2020/09/22/ramsey-county-commissioner-announces-31-8-million-federal-grant-for-second-amtrak-train/ https://trn.trains.com/news/news-wire/2020/09/23-effort-to-launch-second-chicago-twin-cities-amtrak-train-receives-$318-million-grant
Thank you for the twincities.com link. The article says "...funding to complete the final design and for construction of track, signal and bridge improvements necessary to accommodate the second train." There is also about $21 million matching funds from the states and ATK, although Minnesota has not approver their share yet.
MidlandMikeThank you for the twincities.com link. The article says "...funding to complete the final design and for construction of track, signal and bridge improvements necessary to accommodate the second train." There is also about $21 million matching funds from the states and ATK, although Minnesota has not approver their share yet.
Available via Google as well. However, the twin cities links will not work for some as they count the articles you read and shut down once that limit is reached. You left off the subsidy or grant of $12 for startup costs that was a seperate grant made earlier.
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