Residents concerned rail line would divide city
WATERLOO, Wis. (AP) — Some residents of Waterloo are concerned a high-speed rail line would divide the city and compromise safety.
At a public hearing Wednesday night, local leaders heard concerns about the rail line from Madison to Milwaukee that cuts right through the community.
State lawmakers recently approved spending $810 million in federal stimulus funding on the 85-mile line.
Waterloo Fire Chief Vern Butzine says he's concerned about how EMS and fire service would be affected by the train, which doesn't make a stop in the community.
WISC-TV reports the project would close two of nine public crossings in Waterloo. Fencing would be installed and possibly sound barriers.
The train would run about 80 mph and stop in Brookfield, Watertown and Oconomowoc.
Feb 25, 2010 at 10:49 p.m.
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IDK how is ems and fire service affected by freight trains now? Freight trains are much longer and slower than passenger ones. How did this moron get to be fire chief?
Feb 25, 2010 at 6:23 p.m.
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"In Milwaukee, 1 in 5 households is carless. Even in Madison, it's 1 in 10."
That may be...but the question is...how many of those that are car-less want to get from Milwaukee to Madison, and vice-verse?
I would bet not many.
And of the ones that do...how many of those could actually afford the fare?
Feb 25, 2010 at 4:51 p.m.
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realitybites, the reality is that not everyone owns a car. In Milwaukee, 1 in 5 households is carless. Even in Madison, it's 1 in 10.
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ljs64, the city did have a federal grant from the USDOT bicycle transportation fund, which was to have covered 40-60% of the cost (depending on various configurations), but in the tunnel debate most people simply assumed that the entire cost would be borne by Janesville taxpayers and argued against it on that basis. That grant had an expiration and I do not know if it is still available.
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The Hiawatha service currently running between Milwaukee and Chicago costs $22.
Feb 25, 2010 at 2:54 p.m.
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dini79: http://www.thehispanicconservative.com/h...
this is just one source that cites a ONE-WAY ticket price of at least $30.
Feb 25, 2010 at 1:34 p.m.
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I'd like a tunnel under Milwaukee Street so I can ride my bike and walk without getting hit by the speeding cars. Do we have any stimulus money for that?
Feb 25, 2010 at 1:13 p.m.
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Yes, realitybites, because it's all about individuals saving money.
Where'd you come up with your ticket cost numbers, anyway?
Feb 25, 2010 at 1:11 p.m.
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Why would anybody ever use this section of rail?
When you take into account the time for this train to speed up and slow down and the time to make it's 3 scheduled stops the 85 mile trip will likely take about 75 minutes. Taking all costs into account the train trip will cost at least $70 (tickets each way, parking, taxi etc) .
Driving from Madison to Milwaukee doesn't take any longer than 75 minuts so the train will not save you any time. Even at 15 MPG and $4/Gal the round trip will only cost you $45 is gas and you dont have to pay for a taxi. The train will not save you any money.
What idiot came up with this idea?
Feb 25, 2010 at 1:06 p.m.
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These people do realize that passenger trains go faster than freight trains, right? Millions of people live in communities "divided" by commuter rail lines, like most of Chicagoland.
Feb 25, 2010 at 12:40 p.m.
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I don't understand the need for this anyway...More and more stuff is being done on the internet and people won't need to travel like they used to.
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