Politics & Government

The Riddle about Rail: Are Taxpayers Left Holding the Bag?

Some analysts say upgrading the Hiawatha line between Chicago and Milwaukee will cost Wisconsin taxpayers money because Governor Scott Walker turned down the $800 million federal grant for rail between Madison and Milwaukee.

Governor Scott Walker's refusal to accept some $800 million in federal transportation aid for high speed rail is leading to consequences that could cost Wisconsin taxpayers tens of millions of dollars.

Turns out the money that would have built a high-speed rail line between Milwaukee and Madison also would have paid for the upgrades needed on the Hiawatha Line between Milwaukee and Chicago.

How?

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The Milwaukee-Madison leg would have been an extension of the Hiawatha. But now, according to a story from The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the state is going to have to borrow the money to pay for those upgrades to the tune of about $32 million to start. Millions more will be needed for new locomotives, signals and a maintenance base.

A total of $225.3 million was requested in an application for the upgrades through new federal rail grants. The Business Journal reports the application was denied, forcing the state to pay.

Find out what's happening in Mount Pleasant-Sturtevantwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Walker's office says he has always supported the Hiawatha Line and the service it provides to the region. Critics of Walker say turning down the high-speed rail money is leading to more borrowing instead of saving taxpayers money.

Nearly 800,000 passengers used the Hiawatha Line in 2010 and ridership is expected to grow in 2011.

Did Governor Walker make the right decision or are Wisconsin taxpayers left holding the bag?


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