THE BRIGHT SIDE
A new passenger rail project that will run between the Twin Cities, Milwaukee, and Chicago is in the design phase and needs public input.
The project is being built by Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Illinois Department of Transportation along, with Amtrak. The new service will complement the current schedule, along with more flexibility with both morning and mid-day departures from Chicago and St. Paul. This 53-million-dollar project will improve mobility and increase reliable travel options between the Midwest. This route connects many otherwise isolated rural communities. For those not traveling by personal vehicle, options are lacking for travel to and from rural areas. There will even be a shuttle service from select areas to the train depots as an extra service to make trips easier.
Funding is through a $31.8 million Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Consolidated Railroad Infrastructure and Safety Improvement (CRISI) grant that was awarded in September 2020 for final design and construction of required railroad improvements to implement the new passenger train. An additional $12.6 million Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Restoration & Enhancement Program grant was awarded in May 2020 to offset cost of operations for the first three years. The study’s first phase evaluated alternatives for track and other infrastructure improvements required for a second round-trip, along with anticipated costs.
The design phase is expected to be complete in the Summer of 2023 with construction beginning in late 2023 and wrapping up in 2025. The service is estimated to begin in 2024 or earlier. The public comment meetings are scheduled for late October or early November, with another expected in 2023. Comments can also be left online at https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/projects/multimodal/tcmc.aspx.
The property for sale on Edwards Boulevard.
Mr. Tom Hartz, owner of Simple Restaurant on Broad Street, as well as the Simple Bakery next door, was denied his opportunity to purchase the city property currently for sale on Sheridan Springs Road (the four-acre parcel that’s located right across Edward’s Boulevard from the Fairfield Inn). The city council was simply, and apparently, not in the mood to sell any city property, not on the night that it decided to lay down six million dollars for the Hillmoor property. The throngs (over a hundred and twenty) citizens who showed up to support the purchase of the Hillmoor property appeared to be in no mood to put up with any parting of any city property…at least not in the mood they all appeared to be in on Monday night. Mr. Hartz will have to find another parcel to build whatever it is he wants to build or hold as an investment, at least until the city changes its current mindset.
Place of the Week
Geneva Tap House on Broad Street. This place offers a special experience and 50 different self-serve taps. Great place to kick back, socialize, and try something new.
