Kenosha-Racine-Milwaukee rail line pique’s Gov’s interest
by David White
March 11, 2005
Even as interest in the Kenosha-Racine-Milwaukee commuter rail line was beginning to pique interest locally last month, Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle announced that his 2005-07 state budget provides $800,000 to communities in southeastern Wisconsin for planning and implementation of commuter rail.

Gov. Doyle said his budget “includes significant funding for transportation across our state, including investments such as this one in the Kenosha, Racine and Milwaukee area.” With this funding, the residents of Wisconsin will be a step closer to a commuter rail and the economic and environmental benefits that ride with it.

The governor established the Commuter Rail Transit System Development Grant Program in the 2003-05 budget. The program earmarks up to $400,000 for local governments to design or construct commuter rail services. The funds could be used for preliminary engineering, property acquisition and infrastructure construction projects related to the development or extension of commuter rail transit systems in the state.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) expects to distribute the $400,000 grant to the KRM Corridor communities this spring. The $800,000 provided in Governor Doyle’s 2005-07 budget will help Kenosha, Racine and Milwaukee finance final engineering and other planning steps to the commuter rail service. Along with financial assistance, Governor Doyle said that the state would also provide technical expertise and other guidance to help the local agencies implement commuter rail service.

“In providing this funding, Governor Doyle recognizes that full implementation of commuter rail still has a long way to go and that we need to help our local governments stay on track,” DOT Secretary Frank Busalacchi said. “At the same time, DOT will continue to work alongside our local partners in Kenosha, Racine and Milwaukee counties to help in the planning and design processes, and also to support local agencies as they seek broader financial support from the federal government. We will stay in step to support our partners until we can shout ‘All Aboard’ together.”