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Train shed upgrade at Milwaukee station may begin soon
Governor Walker has enough sense to realize that in order for Wisconsin to succeed he needs to tie it as closely as possible to Chicago, the economic engine that drives the entire Midwest. Anything that he can do to get people more quickly and more often to and from Chicago will help his state.
The current train shed in Milwaukee is a gloomy structure that would have been replaced decades ago in nearly any other country. The new design looks nice and will help Milwaukee compete in the global economy. It can’t be built fast enough.
If Walker really wanted to save the state some real money, cut the spending and let the city or county pay for it. After all, the city dwellers are the ones using it. The taxpayers in the rest of the state never use it, have no plans to use it, and see it as another socialist expense being imposed on the providers for the recipients.
Mr. Ekren don’t waste your time with the troll. He has no understanding of how government works.
So, Mr Guse, nobody from the rest of Wisconsin ever takes the train to Milwaukee??? Let’s apply your logic to your part of the world. Why should folks in Milwaukee pay for some road out in the sticks that only farmers use?
Jeffrey, can understand your argument but when you apply that logic as well as the fact of where tax revenues for transportation comes from, most of the rural farm communities would have nothing more than dirt roads and the interstate system would be tolled. Wisconsin, as in most Midwest and conservative states, have an urban tax base that supports a large rural road network and the interstate system that connects it.
Jeffrey, can understand your argument but when you apply that logic as well as the fact of where tax revenues for transportation comes from, most of the rural farm communities would have nothing more than dirt roads and the interstate system would be tolled. Wisconsin, as in most Midwest and conservative states, have an urban tax base that supports a large rural road network and the interstate system that connects it.
Jeffrey, can understand your argument but when you apply that logic as well as the fact of where tax revenues for transportation comes from, most of the rural farm communities would have nothing more than dirt roads and the interstate system would be tolled. Wisconsin, as in most Midwest and conservative states, have an urban tax base that supports a large rural road network and the interstate system that connects it.
Goosie, I’m sure you don’t mind when the government spends untold monies on highway and air, but GOD FORBID, not ONE cent tax money shall be spent o0n rail. If you are a true Libertarian, All streets and roads should be privately owned and those “providers” shall charge a toll. Oh, yes; how about subscription police and fire protection? That will be real efficient, (sarcasm intended)
Good God, Goosie, why do you cry sooo much when any tax money is spent to enhance passenger rail service but you seemingly don’t mind when tax monies are spent on highway and air travel? If you are a true Libertarian you would advocate all streets and highways be privately owned in which the “provider” will charge a toll. Oh, yes, let’s not forget all services including police and fire protection are privately owned whereas if a citizen wants the service he or she must subscribe to it like a newspaper or magazine. Oh yeah, that will workout really well in your world!
Will Kalmbach ever fix the multiple-post problem?
Will Kalmbach ever fix the multiple-post problem?
Will Kalmbach ever fix the multiple-post problem?
All I can say is that “can do” governor had a breached contract for the rail cars on his hands that guess who had to bail him out of? Illinois became a beneficiary of a more balanced transportation network by the transfer of funds while Wisconsin is left polishing ox cart wheels. Yep, that’s real “can do”…and the construction delays cost $…? The man cost everyone by hiding his head in the sand.
Why use high-level platforms for the soon-to-be-retired Horizon fleet when there are no high-level-platforms at any other station on the Hiawatha Corridor INCLUDING Chicago Union Station? Just build Superliner-height platforms and when new bi-level equipment eventually shows up, another renovation won’t be necessary and all the single level equipment can be kept in the Northeast Region.
Will Gov. Walker show up at the dedication of the shed when the work is finished and claim how much he is a friend of rail passenger travel; sort of like the congressman to the south who was repudiated by the voters of Wisc. for veep; he voted against passenger rail, but would show up for the station dedication in Sturtivant, good work, Rep. “Seniors pay 8 grand for Medicare insurance” Ryan.
The new train shed was planned in 2006. Long before the federal high-speed rail money was talked about. Glad we finally have a Can-do Governor who will get this done… and cheaper!
I thought we were supposed to be happy about states taking on more of the costs? And by the way, Wisconsin doesn’t have to go into debt to pay for this…
Well folks, there are plenty of misinformed commets on this subject; the reality however today is that travel by rail will advance by fits and starts in the USA today. This writer can remember the day of 65 minute Milw. Rd., hourly North Shore, and the nice C&NW services. You picked where you wished to depart and arrive in respective cities. While we have a long way to go to recapture the past, let us enjoy the now. I think 110 mph on the Milw.’ CM division, with slowing to 90 at state line and Rondout is a treat for all serious lovers of rail.
Yes, the shed improvements were planned in 2006 but the funds that Walker refused would have paid for it all. Now, we are stuck with the bill for about $8 million for it. Hardly cheaper-by a long shot.
We’ll have to shortchange something else to come up with the money so, yeah, we’re going into debt one way or another. That seems to be all our Governor “can-do”, sadly.
If Jeff Guse says city folks only ride the rails, then since most of the big interstate highways serve rural areas, by his standards, it would be fair to start having rural home and business owners pick up the tab for the highways and release city owner from the taxes on them. Many cities have already taken it upon themselves and approved taxes for improving public transportation projects. When was the last time a rural area took it upon themselves to pay for a new road building project? Most of the new toll road projects in those areas have not delivered as promised and are about to go bankrupt, as many of them are being built out of luxury instead of necessity.