IMMEDIATE ADOPTION
Number
200251
Version
ORIGINAL
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. BAUMAN
Title
Resolution expressing the City of Milwaukee’s support for the 2020 Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvement Grant application of the Wisconsin and Minnesota departments of transportation to expand Amtrak passenger rail service in the Twin Cities-Milwaukee-Chicago corridor.
Analysis
This resolution expresses the City of Milwaukee’s support for the 2020 Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvement Grant application of the Wisconsin and Minnesota departments of transportation to expand Amtrak passenger rail service in the Twin Cities-Milwaukee-Chicago corridor.
...Body
Whereas, Currently, passenger rail service over the entire Twin Cities-Milwaukee-Chicago corridor is provided by a single train, Amtrak’s Empire Builder, which operates once daily in each direction; and
Whereas, Because it is a long-distance train that operates between Chicago and Seattle/Portland, the Empire Builder is often several hours late by the time it serves communities in the Twin Cities-Milwaukee-Chicago corridor; and
Whereas, This combination of limited service frequency and common service delays significantly curtails the viability and attractiveness of passenger rail as a transportation option for residents and visitors of cities and towns along the Twin Cities-Milwaukee-Chicago corridor; and
Whereas, The Wisconsin Department of Transportation and the Minnesota Department of Transportation have submitted a joint application to the Federal Railroad Administration for a 2020 Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) program grant to facilitate implementation of additional passenger rail service in the Twin Cities-Milwaukee-Chicago corridor; and
Whereas, The CRISI grant would allow for operation of a second daily round-trip train in the Twin Cities-Milwaukee-Chicago corridor, approximately 4 to 6 hours apart from the existing Empire Builder schedule, thereby greatly increasing travel flexibility and convenience for travelers in this corridor; and
Whereas, Additional passenger rail service in the Twin Cities-Milwaukee-Chicago corridor would benefit Milwaukee and other communities along the route by increasing travel options for personal, leisure and business travel, supporting tourism, creating engineering and construction jobs, connecting workers with employment opportunities in other communities, and linking college students with colleges and universities; and
Whereas, The availability of passenger rail services enhances the ability of communities to attract and retain businesses, employees, residents and visitors; and
Whereas, The proposed expansion of Amtrak service in the Twin Cities-Milwaukee-Chicago corridor will increase travel accessibility for persons of all abilities, build upon existing rail infrastructure, and create opportunities to reduce carbon emissions; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the City of Milwaukee expresses its support for the 2020 Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvement Grant application of the Wisconsin and Minnesota departments of transportation to expand Amtrak passenger rail service in the Twin Cities-Milwaukee-Chicago corridor; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the City Clerk is directed to send copies of this resolution to U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao and to Ronald L. Batory, Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration.
Requestor
Drafter
LRB176123-1
Jeff Osterman
06/09/2020