Gov. Walker wants $150M for Amtrak Hiawatha upgrades
Written by jrood
Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker plans to apply for $150 million in federal funds to improve the Hiawatha Amtrak railroad connecting Chicago to Milwaukee, reports Businessweek. The funds would provide Milwaukee a new maintenance facility, as well as two train sets and eight locomotives. This application for funds comes only three months after the Governor turned down $810 million to build a Madison-to-Milwaukee high-speed line. When he turned the funds down he stated the line would be a waste of taxpayer money. When speaking of the new project, he said it would save the state money through lower operating expenses, fewer capital costs and more ticket revenue. The money would be coming from the $2.4 billion in high-speed rail funds Florida rejected. Walker will be filling jointly with Illinois, Michigan, Missouri and Amtrak. The project would allow for faster trips, traveling up to 110 mph between Chicago and Milwaukee-cutting travel time by 30 minutes.
