Another Wisconsin HSR article

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This isn't hypocrisy. Walker has said many times that he is in favor of the Hiawatha corridor. He says that it's a proven commodity that people use. And as a plus, any improvements made to the corridor will decrease Wisconsins subsidy. Lost in all the fuss over the refusal of funds was that Walker tried to divert this same amount of money to the Hiawathas for this. So this isn't hypocrisy.
From Walker's letter to Ray LaHood:

More than 60 years ago, the federal government had the foresight to recognize that the American people no longer wanted to be limited by fixed-track passenger rail. The massive investment in our federal interstate highway system spurred the greatest economic expansion in our nation's history. For us to now to go backwards on transportation makes little sense. I believe that continuing responsible investments in our road infrastructure is a key to growing our economy and creating jobs.
I strongly encourage the federal government to halt all investments in new passenger rail lines and instead devote this funding to state and local road projects. All across the country, in states like Wisconsin, Ohio and Florida, the voters chose new governors who are opposed to diverting transportation funding to passenger rail. I believe it would be unwise for the Obama Administration to ignore the will of the voters.
http://www.wqow.com/Global/story.asp?S=13472336

Nice try, but he's a hypocrite.
Actually, and I hate that I'm saying this, but it is a pretty fine line. Note that he says "new passenger rail lines". That would allow him to stop the Madison to MKE line since he considers that new, even though it was really an extension of the existing Hiawatha line, yet still allow him to ask for funding for the existing (not new) Hiawatha line.

Again, I admit that it's a fine line, but it is there.
 
Using it on BWI station is a waste of money. Nothing wrong with that station. Unless you meant something other than Baltimore Airport Station.
Yes, overall there is nothing really wrong with BWI, although it could be a bit nicer inside the actual station. The problem with BWI is that one cannot fit 4 tracks in between the two current platforms and Amtrak needs 4 tracks in that area to handle the traffic created by Amtrak's trains and the MARC trains. So the station platforms and access areas need to be redesigned and rebuilt to permit 4 tracks through that area.
 
This isn't hypocrisy. Walker has said many times that he is in favor of the Hiawatha corridor. He says that it's a proven commodity that people use. And as a plus, any improvements made to the corridor will decrease Wisconsins subsidy. Lost in all the fuss over the refusal of funds was that Walker tried to divert this same amount of money to the Hiawathas for this. So this isn't hypocrisy.
From Walker's letter to Ray LaHood:

More than 60 years ago, the federal government had the foresight to recognize that the American people no longer wanted to be limited by fixed-track passenger rail. The massive investment in our federal interstate highway system spurred the greatest economic expansion in our nation's history. For us to now to go backwards on transportation makes little sense. I believe that continuing responsible investments in our road infrastructure is a key to growing our economy and creating jobs.
I strongly encourage the federal government to halt all investments in new passenger rail lines and instead devote this funding to state and local road projects. All across the country, in states like Wisconsin, Ohio and Florida, the voters chose new governors who are opposed to diverting transportation funding to passenger rail. I believe it would be unwise for the Obama Administration to ignore the will of the voters.
http://www.wqow.com/Global/story.asp?S=13472336

Nice try, but he's a hypocrite.
Actually, and I hate that I'm saying this, but it is a pretty fine line. Note that he says "new passenger rail lines". That would allow him to stop the Madison to MKE line since he considers that new, even though it was really an extension of the existing Hiawatha line, yet still allow him to ask for funding for the existing (not new) Hiawatha line.

Again, I admit that it's a fine line, but it is there.
I did consider that, but the first paragraph doesn't quite have that caveat and is more of a general condemnation of spending money on any rail infrastructure.
And yes - the problem with BWI is that there isn't room for 4 tracks. Supposedly 4 tracking that 9 mile segment will shave 2 minutes off of trip times by itself.
 
Walker rode the anti-rail talk-radio Tea Party tiger into the governor's mansion. Realistically, his opposition had nothing to do with the "uncertainties" of extending the already-popular Hiawatha service to the state capital and home of the state university.

It had everything to do with dog-whistle "us vs. them" politics. We drive, live in rural areas, and have no reason to go to the dens of iniquity that are Chicago, Milwaukee, and Madison. They live in or near cities and ride trains. It was also, as was said above, an intentional slap in President Obama's face; if that upstart socialist usurper in faraway ivory-tower Washington wants something, we Real Amurricans don't want anything to do with it.

I hope his fellow know-nothings now tear him apart for a pro-rail policy, however modest. I hope they scream like banshees for taking "Obama's money" for "choo choos." I hope, in sum, that the very tiger he rode into office now eats him. A fitting "Twilight Zone" ending.
 
I'm riding a fine line on this one. On one hand, I'd like to see the improvements on the Hiawatha line. It's proven its worth as a necessary travel alternative. On the other hand, I'd like to see the administration kick Walker and his no-nothing supporters in the butt. I'm surprised Walker signed off on this given his anti-transit attitude.
 
Just for kicks they should grant walker about $90 million on his $150 million request from the 80-20 pot, so that he will need to come up with local funding of $23 million to be eligible for the $90 million and also come up with the balance $37 million to actually complete the project, and then watch him try to make lemonade out of that lemon. Just for kicks mind you :) Am I Machiavellian? Yes sometimes I can be :p
 
Just for kicks they should grant walker about $90 million on his $150 million request from the 80-20 pot, so that he will need to come up with local funding of $23 million to be eligible for the $90 million and also come up with the balance $37 million to actually complete the project, and then watch him try to make lemonade out of that lemon. Just for kicks mind you :) Am I Machiavellian? Yes sometimes I can be :p
I don't know who you are... but I like you already.
 
Just for kicks they should grant walker about $90 million on his $150 million request from the 80-20 pot, so that he will need to come up with local funding of $23 million to be eligible for the $90 million and also come up with the balance $37 million to actually complete the project, and then watch him try to make lemonade out of that lemon. Just for kicks mind you :) Am I Machiavellian? Yes sometimes I can be :p
I don't know who you are... but I like you already.
Thank you :hi:
 
You know what? I'd give him the money conditioned on him climbing down on the Madison route. Make it all or nothing...forcing Walker to choose between getting the service he wants and ultimately admitting he screwed up, and not getting what he wants? I'd be game for that.

Hehehe I would agree to that. Tell him he can have his upgraded Hiawatha, but it has to go to Madison. If he says no, then agree to split the costs 50/50 for the upgrades he wants.
 
I suppose no one has heard that Walker has 60 million in his budget to upgrade the tracks from Milwaukee to Madison? This would have all been in the federal grant he refused!!
 
Just for kicks they should grant walker about $90 million on his $150 million request from the 80-20 pot, so that he will need to come up with local funding of $23 million to be eligible for the $90 million and also come up with the balance $37 million to actually complete the project, and then watch him try to make lemonade out of that lemon. Just for kicks mind you :) Am I Machiavellian? Yes sometimes I can be :p
I am ever so sick of partisan politics, in NJ as much as anywhere else. When did we start confusing yelling with accomplishing?
 
I suppose no one has heard that Walker has 60 million in his budget to upgrade the tracks from Milwaukee to Madison? This would have all been in the federal grant he refused!!

Now, I have read this as well. I'm curious as to the veracity of this, as, according to an earlier press release, Walker wished to spend some $ 30 million on the Madison to Reedsburg route. Are you sure another several dozen million will be put towards improving Watertown-to-Madison ? Your source, please ?

Thnx. :)
 
The source was from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Alas, I can't find the article. Maybe the number was high that I saw, since technically his budget hasn't been officially released yet.
 
Using it on BWI station is a waste of money. Nothing wrong with that station. Unless you meant something other than Baltimore Airport Station.
Depends. There are a few things wrong with the station if efficient operation is a consideration. The 2030 NEC Master Plan actually has a fourth track and island platforms instead of side platforms in the plan, and eventually that is what will happen to that station. However, there are more pressing issue on which money should be spent at present, like the Baltimore Tunnels realignment, for which also there is a concrete plan that is in the NEPA EIS process.
 
As has been said several times in this forum, cancelling the Madison project was purely politics, and a way to propel Walker into the governor's office. The state has now budgeted $31.6M of its own money to cover upgrades to Chicago-Milwaukee service which would have been covered by the $810M grant. Some other items for CHI-MKE, such as the maintenance base for the Talgo equipment and two locomotives, also covered by the grant, are not yet budgeted.

Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel article

Business reporter for The Capital Times reports an unnamed Brookfield city official saying what we all suspected. Based on extensive polling, "the best single GOP issue was dissing Madison and the proposed rail connection to Milwaukee."

Cap Times article
 
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As has been said several times in this forum, cancelling the Madison project was purely politics, and a way to propel Walker into the governor's office. The state has now budgeted $31.6M of its own money to cover upgrades to Chicago-Milwaukee service which would have been covered by the $810M grant. Some other items for CHI-MKE, such as the maintenance base for the Talgo equipment and two locomotives, also covered by the grant, are not yet budgeted.

Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel article

Business reporter for The Capital Times reports an unnamed Brookfield city official saying what we all suspected. Based on extensive polling, "the best single GOP issue was dissing Madison and the proposed rail connection to Milwaukee."

Cap Times article

So what exactly is going to be done to the tracks. As I understand it, most of this is going to the talgo train sets, and to the station in Milwaukee.
 
So what exactly is going to be done to the tracks. As I understand it, most of this is going to the talgo train sets, and to the station in Milwaukee.
You're correct about the biggest impact being the Talgo maintenance base and trainshed. If I recall correctly, there wasn't much going into the tracks between CHI-MKE in the $810M grant. Locomotives, also covered in the grant, are being put off for another budget cycle.

A year or two ago there was a crossover installed in Pleasant Prairie to improve on-time performance (less interference from coal trains servicing the power plant there). Also a lengthening of platforms at the Milwaukee airport station. That was covered in a previous ARRA grant.
 
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