WISCONSIN (WTAQ-WLUK) — Northeast Wisconsin leaders are once again showing interest in connecting with Amtrak’s Milwaukee-Chicago line.
City leaders from Appleton, Fond du Lac, Green Bay, Kaukauna, Menasha, Neenah, and Oshkosh have asked the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) for consideration in its Corridor Identification and Development (ID) program. The Corridor ID program is part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
As part of Amtrak’s plan, this corridor extension would connect Green Bay and the greater Fox Valley to Amtrak’s Hiawatha line, which runs from Milwaukee to Chicago.
Amtrak proposes three daily round trips from Green Bay to Chicago with an initial trip time of 4 hours and 20 minutes. An initial trip time for Green Bay to Milwaukee is estimated to take just under 3 hours. Appleton, Fond du Lac, Green Bay, and Oshkosh would be four new stations along this proposed Amtrak extension.
“Our region stands to benefit from this Amtrak connection,” said Mayor Eric Genrich of Green Bay. “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.”
“Extension of Amtrak service through the Fox Cities might provide another great transportation option for our residents,” said Mayor Jake Woodford of Appleton. “Having access to rail transportation could also help our region compete for talent in an incredibly tight labor market.”
Currently the Fox Valley communities that include Kaukauna, Menasha, Neenah and Oshkosh are serviced by Amtrak’s Thruway I-41 bus service.
Democratic Gov. Tony Evers has said he is open to using state funds for passenger rail expansion between Madison and Milwaukee, but leaders of the Republican-controlled Legislature have said they are opposed.
