Another Great Idea For High-Speed Rail Plans in SE Wisconsin

Governor Agrees to Relocate Madison High Speed Rail Station
He Should Do the Same for Milwaukee

Statement by Milwaukee County Clerk Joseph J. Czarnezki
July 1, 2010

I am pleased, that after listening to potential riders along the Milwaukee – Madison high speed rail corridor, Governor Doyle has reversed himself and agreed to relocate the Madison rail station.

Once again, I strongly urge the Governor to listen to the people in the Milwaukee area and site another high speed rail station in western Milwaukee County near the Milwaukee County Research Park in Wauwatosa and reject stations in Waukesha County.

I am renewing this request despite the fact that my May 2010 letter to Governor Doyle with this recommendation was summarily dismissed by DOT Secretary Busalacchi. If the Governor can reverse himself and consider public input on the Madison rail stop, he should do the same for the people in the Milwaukee area.

I realize there are currently two stations planned for Milwaukee. However, it is unlikely that travelers from western Milwaukee County will drive downtown or to the airport to board a train to Madison. It is, however, very likely that they would board at a station in Wauwatosa.

Such a station is also likely to generate more ridership than a station in Brookfield or elsewhere in Waukesha County.

Finally and most importantly, numerous state and local officials in Waukesha County have expressed public opposition to high speed rail, apparently because there is no desire among Waukesha County residents to ride the train. Therefore, we should not spend tax dollars to construct stations in Waukesha County where ridership is expected to be very low.



Joseph J. Czarnezki
Milwaukee County Clerk
901 North 9th Street, Room 105
Milwaukee, WI 53233-1463
joseph.czarnezki@milwcnty.com
414.278.4069
www.county.milwaukee.gov/CountyClerk