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9/22/2022
The Minnesota and Wisconsin departments of transportation are soliciting comments on the proposed Twin Cities-Milwaukee-Chicago (TCMC) Intercity Passenger-Rail Project, which would add a second daily round-trip passenger train on the 411-mile, Chicago-to-Twin Cities corridor.
The TCMC service would operate on Amtrak's existing long-distance Empire Builder route. It would increase daily round-trip options from one to two between the Twin Cities, Milwaukee, Chicago and intermediate stations, according to the project website.
The $53 million project is in the final design phase for the infrastructure improvements that are required for the expanded passenger-rail service. Construction is anticipated to begin next year and conclude in 2025. Partial service is expected to start in 2024.
A $31.8 million federal Consolidated Railroad Infrastructure and Safety Improvement grant was awarded in September 2020 for final design and construction of required railroad improvements to implement the TCMC service.
Amtrak has committed $5 million in funding. An additional $16.2 million in state match dollars ($10 million from Minnesota and $6.2 million from Wisconsin) are needed. A $12.6 million grant from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) was awarded in May 2020 to offset operational costs for the first three years.
In addition to the Minnesota and Wisconsin DOTs, the project's partners include Amtrak, the FRA, La Crosse Area Planning Committee and Ramsey County Regional Railroad Authority.