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Working around limitations for expansion of Hiawatha Service : WisDOT's VISION for the future

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  • Member since
    June 2009
  • From: Dallas, TX
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Working around limitations for expansion of Hiawatha Service : WisDOT's VISION for the future
Posted by CMStPnP on Friday, September 13, 2019 1:32 PM

https://biztimes.com/enhance-rail-service-hiawatha-milwaukee-chicago/

Awesome article so it seems WisDOT is using the Accela service as a goal for what Milwaukee to Chicago service would become.   Which would explain the digital train boards on the platforms in Milwaukee.......not currently in use.    Article also mentions expansion of Hiawatha service to Green Bay via Fox River Valley but still no mention of a precise timetable.  

Interesting alternatives mentioned to get around Glenview's complaints of a rail siding.   However, CP says it is inflexible on the rail siding so that looks like another point of contention that needs to be smoothed over with CP (they are probably looking for more money or another free upgrade).

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Posted by charlie hebdo on Friday, September 13, 2019 7:31 PM

Very interesting.  Thanks!! 

  • Member since
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  • From: Dallas, TX
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Posted by CMStPnP on Sunday, September 15, 2019 6:21 PM

^^^ So the next mystery is how they are going to get CP Rail to move over to the ex-C&NW line (now UP RR) prior to Glenview.......which seems their next angle of approach that everyone but CP Rail will agree on. 

Also, they have to remove CP Rail entirely from the Chicago to Milwaukee line and engage in a lot of overhead bridge building for roads that cross the line (grade crossing reductions) to get to higher than 110 mph operation.    I think in the rural areas that can be done but as between Chicago and Milwaukee gets urbanized that becomes more difficult.   Over 20-30 years probably doable but that is a really prolonged timeline.

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Posted by charlie hebdo on Sunday, September 15, 2019 6:49 PM

Given the unwillingness of many members on here to see a penny spent on a 21st century  infrastructure,  if that nearsighted view were universal,  nothing would happen. 

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