The TCMC
https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/proje...odal/tcmc.aspx Gets another round of grant money. This time $31.8M
A joint Wisconsin-Minnesota passenger rail project designed to enhance connectivity between the Twin Cities, La Crosse, Milwaukee and Chicago is to receive a $31.8 million federal rail grant, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation announced.
https://biztimes.com/wisconsin-minne...federal-grant/
Seems they have scored quite a few grants in the past 12 months. Not sure if it is fully funded. But I know they got some money for the Milwaukee Airport 2nd platform and the Muskego Yards Rail bypass and some new pax cars.
Earlier this year, FRA provided a $12.6 million grant for operating support to offset the cost of the first three years of service.
Planning for TCMC service began in 2012 when project partners requested Amtrak assess the feasibility of providing a state-supported second round trip intercity passenger train service between the Twin Cities and Chicago Union Station.
Amtrak completed its study in 2015, and its findings indicated favorable ridership and revenue projects. This provided the premise for a more detailed study of the proposed service.
WisDOT is also working with its counterpart in Illinois and Amtrak to add more round trips to the Hiawatha service. The department earlier this year sought public input on the proposed Muskego Yard bypass project, which is one of several projects that would allow Hiawatha to expand to 10 daily trips. The Muskego Yard is a railyard location in Milwaukee’s Menomonee Valley.
Last year, WisDOT was also awarded a separate $25.7 million grant to purchase new passenger rail cars for use on the Hiawatha service. The new cars will add seats to the Hiawatha and cut costs related to its operation.