Milwaukee Construction Jobs Created by High-Speed Rail Funding

Thousands of Milwaukee construction jobs and other positions throughout Wisconsin will be created by federal funding for high-speed rail projects.

Gov. Jim Doyle recently announced that the State of Wisconsin will receive $823 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to build a high-speed passenger rail service, a move that will help to create thousands of jobs.

"Through high-speed rail, President Obama is making a major investment in the future of Wisconsin's economy," Doyle said. "This is a major project that will create thousands of jobs in Wisconsin and invest in our long-term growth, connecting the major centers of commerce in Wisconsin and the Midwest.

"With the Obama Administration's support, Wisconsin is poised to be the nation's leader in high speed rail manufacturing," he continued. "This was a national competition and the results clearly demonstrate that we put forth a very strong application."

Of the funding Wisconsin is slated to receive, $810 million will be used to build high-speed passenger rail service between Milwaukee and Madison. That money will be used for construction of track, passenger stations, signaling and other infrastructure improvements.

Construction on this line is expected to begin by the end of this year and be completed by the beginning of 2013. Wisconsin will purchase two train sets from Spanish manufacturer Talgo.

However, Wisconsin plans to purchase two additional state-of-the-art train sets, which will be assembled and maintained in state. Eight new energy-efficient locomotives Wisconsin plans to purchase will be assembled in the United States.

In addition, $12 million will be used to install crossovers between Chicago and Milwaukee, which will improve service on this highly-popular route. That project alone is expected to create thousands of jobs in construction, engineering, design and supply firms.

The remaining $1 million in funding will go to the Minnesota Department of Transportation to make final determinations on a route between Wisconsin and the Twin Cities.

During the next 10 years, high-speed passenger rail in Wisconsin is expected to eliminate 7.8 million car trips, save 27.6 million gallons of fuel, eliminate about 270,000 tons of carbon emissions and create more livable communities with less congestion.