Wisconsin Takes a Long-Overdue Step Forward on Passenger Rail

by Sean Jeans-Gail | VP of Gov't Affairs + Policy

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For the Rail Passengers Association and our members, this week’s announcement from Governor Tony Evers and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) represents something we have been working towards for more than a decade: a serious effort to reconnect Wisconsin’s capital city—and the communities in between—to the national passenger rail network.

WisDOT's proposed plan would extend two daily Amtrak Hiawatha trains beyond Milwaukee to serve Pewaukee, Watertown, and Madison, linking Dane, Jefferson, and Waukesha counties directly with the Chicago hub. It is both a modest, incremental expansion of existing service and—simultaneously—a meaningful step toward reviving a project that should never have been killed in the first place.

Discussing this proposal requires acknowledging the lost opportunity of 2010. Wisconsin was awarded $810 million in federal funding to develop higher-speed rail between Milwaukee and Madison—an investment that would have transformed mobility across the state. That funding was ultimately rejected by Republican Governor Scott Walker, who made killing the train a key part of his campaign for governor, using the project as a symbolic act of defiance against the Obama Administration. The decision killed more than the train, however, ultimately driving equipment manufacturer Talgo to shutter a Milwaukee-based intercity passenger rail manufacturing facility, while leaving Wisconsin’s taxpayers on the hook for a $50 million settlement for two trainsets that were originally intended for the service.

“The opportunity to expand passenger rail has haunted Wisconsin for a generation because of a short-sighted political stunt—that decision cost our state dearly, and we want to right that wrong,” said Gov. Evers. “Ensuring Wisconsin has the 21st-century transportation and infrastructure we need to compete for workers and thrive in a 21st-century economy must be a top priority for our state, especially if we want to keep working toward the future we've been building together over the last seven years. This is an important effort that should have happened a long time ago, and I’m hopeful the Trump Administration will approve our request so we can get this done.”

For passengers, that decision was more than symbolic—it meant years of lost economic growth, lost mobility options, and increased reliance on congested highways. While we cannot undo that history, we can—and should—learn from it. Gov. Evers’ effort is part of a broader national recognition that passenger rail is essential infrastructure, not a luxury.

“Build Now” Approach

The state is looking to leverage existing rail infrastructure, paired with targeted capital improvements such as track upgrades, bridge rehabilitation, and accessible station platforms as part of a strategy to deliver benefits to riders sooner while laying groundwork for future expansion.

Extending Hiawatha Service to Madison would complement strong existing demand. The Chicago–Milwaukee corridor is already one of the most successful short-distance rail routes in the country. Ridership growth—bolstered by services like the Borealis to the Twin Cities—demonstrates that Midwestern travelers are eager for reliable, comfortable alternatives to driving.

The benefits of this expansion go well beyond convenience. Rail service into Madison would reconnect one of the largest U.S. cities without passenger trains since 1971, restoring access for students, families, and workers alike. WisDOT estimates launching the service would create 200 permanent jobs and generate approximately $46 million in annual economic benefits.

The Governor’s office also highlighted how upgrades to the Milwaukee - Madison passenger rail corridor would strengthen freight performance and safety along the route through investments in track capacity and improved signaling—a win-win for the broader economy.

While this proposal focuses on extending two daily round trips, it should be seen as the foundation—not the finish line. With a restored link to Madison, future opportunities could include additional frequencies, faster service, and further connections west and north. The Rail Passengers Association also sees potential in integrating this extension into a larger Midwest network, with each incremental improvement strengthening the case for the next.

Federal Support Required

The grant application now sits with the U.S. Department of Transportation. We encourage federal leaders to recognize the significance of this proposal—not just for Wisconsin, but for the entire region. Strategic investments like this deliver outsized returns in mobility, sustainability, and economic competitiveness.

Congress will also have a role to play by providing sufficient funding for passenger rail programs in the multi-year surface transportation reauthorization currently being considered by the legislative body. Unfortunately, the proposal being advanced in the House is inadequate, providing no dedicated funding for intercity passenger rail; this would likely result in little progress for even incremental projects over the life of the bill.

With the Senate yet to release a draft of its counterproposal, there’s still time to build support for a strong federal rail program. Being able to point to projects like the one championed by Gov. Evers will be a key component to helping educate members of Congress on the strong state-level demand for more and better trains across America.