APPLETON, Wis. — Leaders from Northeast Wisconsin cities are again pushing for a new expansion to Amtrak’s Hiawatha line that travels between Chicago and Milwaukee.
In a joint letter of interest, Appleton, Fond du Lac, Green Bay, Kaukauna, Menasha, Neenah and Oshkosh leaders expressed interest to the Federal Railroad Administration for consideration in its Corridor Identification and Development program. The Corridor ID program is the first initiative under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
“Our region stands to benefit from this Amtrak connection,” said Green Bay Mayor Eric Genrich. “Strengthening our ties among the communities of the New North should be a priority for us, and transportation is a key component of this effort.”
As part of Amtrak’s Amtrak Connects US plan, three daily round trips from Green Bay to Chicago are proposed, with an initial trip time of four hours and 20 minutes. An initial trip time for Green Bay to Milwaukee is estimated to take just under three hours.
Appleton, Fond du Lac, Green Bay and Oshkosh would be four new stations along this proposed Amtrak extension.
“Extension of Amtrak service through the Fox Cities might provide another great transportation option for our residents,” Appleton Mayor Jake Woodford said. “Having access to rail transportation could also help our region compete for talent in an incredibly tight labor market.”
Currently, Kaukauna, Menasha, Neenah and Oshkosh are serviced by Amtrak’s Thruway I-41 bus service. All seven cities stated in their joint letter they believe this corridor satisfies the selection criteria outlined by the FRA.
The Amtrak Hiawatha train currently offers seven daily roundtrips between Milwaukee and Chicago.
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