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State receives largest rail grant to date through the Biden-Harris Administration's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers and U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisconsin) on Oct 31st, celebrated a $72.8 million federal grant received by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) to improve freight and passenger rail services in Wisconsin. The investment, awarded through the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program, is funded by the Biden-Harris Administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL).
“The Muskego Yard Bypass Project is a cornerstone project in our work to expand freight and passenger rail services across our state, which will help improve the safety and efficiency of our rail services today while enabling us to build toward future rail opportunities here in Wisconsin,” said Gov. Evers. “We’re working to build the strong, robust infrastructure Wisconsinites and our economy need to succeed, and we’re making it happen thanks to the leadership of Sen. Baldwin, the Biden-Harris Administration, and the once-in-a-generation investment of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.”
“Wisconsin families and businesses deserve modern, reliable, and safe transportation – and that includes rail,” said U.S. Sen. Baldwin, who was a staunch supporter of the funding request. “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.”
The Muskego Freight Rail Yard Bypass Project will reconfigure existing track and yard facilities along the Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) railway corridor in Milwaukee. The project establishes a new double-track mainline through Muskego Yard so freight trains can bypass the Milwaukee Intermodal Station (MIS), minimizing passenger train delays and freeing up track capacity to keep products moving safely and efficiently through the state.
This is the largest non-highway discretionary grant and the largest rail grant WisDOT has received to date through the BIL. The funding allows Wisconsin to support potential new and expanded passenger rail services between Milwaukee and Chicago via the popular Amtrak Hiawatha rail service route. The upgrades are also critical to the success of four proposed passenger rail corridors being studied now through the FRA’s Corridor Identification and Development Program. The WisDOT study is assessing the feasibility of bringing new or enhanced passenger rail service to Wisconsin communities such as Green Bay, Eau Claire, and Madison.
“In many ways, the future of rail in Wisconsin hinges on a successful Muskego Yard bypass project,” said WisDOT Secretary Kristina Boardman. “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.”
Wisconsin’s strong partnership with CPKC will help WisDOT improve the Amtrak Hiawatha and Borealis services. Amtrak will provide $7 million in matching funds.
The project will remove the majority of freight from the MIS tracks, freeing up capacity within the Chicago–Milwaukee passenger corridor to reduce congestion, facilitate increases in Amtrak Hiawatha frequencies, and increase operational reliability. Infrastructure upgrades will reduce gate down time at at-grade crossings, improve access to Muskego Yard, and reduce travel times for freight trains traveling through Milwaukee.
Thanks to the Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America Agenda, Wisconsin is seeing historic investments in improving statewide infrastructure. According to the White House, as of March 2024, more than $6 billion from the BIL has been announced and is headed to Wisconsin with over 500 specific projects identified for funding. Based on formula funding alone, Wisconsin is also expected to receive approximately $5.4 billion over five years in federal funding specifically for highways and bridges and approximately $599 million for public transit options. This is a once-in-a-generation investment that will go a long way in the state’s efforts to build the 21st-century infrastructure Wisconsinites need and deserve.