[Ald. Bauman sent this to me, and as it was too long to include as a comment to an earlier posting, agreed that I could run it separately, which I am happy to do:]
The proposed Milwaukee to Madison high speed rail line will become a reality at least as far as the upgrading of the rail lines to accommodate high speed passenger trains.
It is possible that the next governor could block the appropriation of state funds for operating costs, however, that would set up the rather ridiculous situation of having a new and upgraded rail line with no trains running on it. It would be like spending $823M on a new highway and then refusing to fund the cost of policing, snow plowing, routine maintenance, street lights, etc. thereby effectively preventing any motor vehicles from using that new road.
It is highly unlikely that any reasonable elected official, even a conservative elected official, will allow this to happen especially in light of the fact that, unlike local transit, intercity rail passengers tend to be middle and upper middle class persons who vote including campaign contributing business persons.
Based on ridership between Milwaukee and Chicago even Republicans ride the train. WisDOT is moving very quickly to let contracts for all or most of the $823M prior to January, 2011. A significant number of jobs will be attached to these contracts and politically powerful engineering firms (HNTB) and road builders will be the contractors.
There is nothing anyone can do about this since the necessary funding agreements have been entered into between the WisDOT and the Federal Railroad Administration. In addition, if these contracts are cancelled down the road, some portion of the federal money would have to be refunded (or the Feds will simply deduct the money from Wisconsin's federal highway appropriation; i.e. less money for the Zoo Interchange and countless other highway projects). In short the next governor will face the choice of either allowing the work to proceed or asking the legislature to write a check for the federal funds expended to date.
I cannot envision the latter scenario happening. Accordingly, the time is ripe to lobby for a western Milwaukee County station. This rail line will become reality no matter what talk radio says so even opponents would be well advised to make the best of this infrastructure investment.
The operative word is "reasonable" elected official. A reasonable one wouldn't be saying the things that Walker and Neumann are now on this issue.
ReplyDeleteSound argument, Alderman Bauman. We know of many married couples with one spouse who has to commute to Madison or Milwaukee for his or her job. A fast Madison-Milwaukee train will be safer, more convenient and less harmful to the environment than the current practice of constant road- building, road-widening, and road repairing. All hail the return of the train!
ReplyDeletePipe dreams on a train. The per passenger mile cost of this train is going to make that "constant" road building look cheap.
ReplyDeleteI don't hold it against any Governor who kills this regardless of how much has been spent before his/her term. I can't forget the day a newly elected Democratic Congress and Mr. Clinton killed the Superconducting Supercollider after 14 miles of a 54 mile tunnel had been excavated. I believe $5B had already been spent.
I know trains and particle accelerators are two things but there is one thing in common. Other Peoples Money.
Forgot to mention. Don't buy a home near a government project unless you like throwing money away. Rent instead.
ReplyDelete