WISCONSIN — Wisconsin will get $72.8 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation for a rail project that will impact the Amtrak Hiawatha line, U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin announced on Monday.

What You Need To Know

  • Wisconsin will get $72.8 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation toward the Muskego Yard Bypass Project

  • The project aims to allow more rail routes and increased trips of the Amtrak service between Milwaukee and Chicago, one of the busiest Amtrak routes in the nation

  • The project involves updating and reconfiguring the existing rail and yard at the Muskego bypass.  It would also replace and rehabilitate about five bridges along the route

  • Baldwin secured funding for the rail expansion last year in part through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

Specifically, the funding will go toward the Muskego Yard Bypass Project. That project aims to allow more rail routes and increased trips of the Amtrak service between Milwaukee and Chicago, one of the busiest Amtrak routes in the nation.

“In many ways, the future of rail in Wisconsin hinges on a successful Muskego Yard bypass project,” Wisconsin Department of Transportation Secretary Kristina Boardman said in a press release. “We’re thrilled to receive this pivotal funding that will significantly reshape our rail infrastructure plans in the coming years. Thanks to this federal investment, we’ll be able to further support freight and passenger rail services throughout Wisconsin and consider expansion of services in additional corridors.”

The project involves updating and reconfiguring the existing rail and yard at the Muskego bypass.

A new two-track mainline created by the project would allow freight trains to bypass the Milwaukee Intermodal Station. Officials said they hope this minimizes passenger train delays and frees up track capacity. It would also replace and rehabilitate about five bridges along the route.

Baldwin secured funding for the rail expansion last year in part through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Funding is coming through the federal Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program.

“Wisconsin families and businesses deserve modern, reliable, and safe transportation – and that includes rail,” said Baldwin, who is running for re-election against Republican challenger Eric Hovde, in the release. “I’m proud to deliver for Wisconsin, helping more folks conveniently travel by train, keeping costs down for businesses and consumers, and ensuring our Made in Wisconsin economy can keep moving forward.”

Earlier this year, Amtrak unveiled a new route running through Wisconsin. The second daily train, the Amtrak Borealis, runs between Chicago and St. Paul with intermediate stops in the Badger State. Officials with the company announced the ridership for that route had reached 100,000 passengers in 22 weeks.

“We’ve been pleasantly surprised by the excitement and ridership that the new service has created and couldn’t be prouder of our partnership. The number of full trains, even at mid-week on the Twin Cities-Milwaukee-Chicago corridor, is leading Amtrak and our state partners to look at how we can add capacity,” said Amtrak President Roger Harris, in that release.

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