Baldwin Announces Nearly $73 Million for Milwaukee Rail Project

WISCONSIN – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) announced $72.8 million in federal funding for the Muskego Yard Bypass Project, helping to allow for more passenger rail trips, including between Milwaukee and Chicago, and boosting freight rail capacity. Senator Baldwin directly advocated to U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Pete Buttigieg to fund the project, strengthening Wisconsin’s rail operations for years to come.

“Wisconsin families and businesses deserve modern, reliable, and safe transportation – and that includes rail,” said Senator Baldwin. “I’m proud to deliver for Wisconsin, helping more folks conveniently travel by train, keeping costs down for businesses and consumers, and ensuring our Made in Wisconsin economy can keep moving forward.”

“In many ways, the future of rail in Wisconsin hinges on a successful Muskego Yard bypass project,” WisDOT Secretary Kristina Boardman said. “We’re thrilled to receive this pivotal funding that will significantly reshape our rail infrastructure plans in the coming years. Thanks to this federal investment, we’ll be able to further support freight and passenger rail services throughout Wisconsin and consider expansion of services in additional corridors.” 

The Muskego Yard Bypass Project is one of the infrastructure projects needed to support new passenger rail routes in Wisconsin, as well as to increase trip frequencies of Amtrak’s Hiawatha Service between Milwaukee and Chicago – one of the busiest Amtrak routes in the nation. Senator Baldwin secured funding last year for this passenger rail expansion.

The funding will be used to update and reconfigure the existing rail and yard at the Muskego Yard Bypass, establishing a new two-track mainline that will allow freight trains to bypass the Milwaukee Intermodal Station, minimize passenger train delays, and free up track capacity. The project will also increase efficiency by replacing or rehabilitating approximately five bridges.

The investment, from the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program, comes from Baldwin backed government funding bills and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The purpose of the CRISI Program is to invest in a wide range of projects within the United States to improve railroad safety, efficiency, and reliability; mitigate congestion at both intercity passenger rail and freight rail chokepoints to support more efficient travel and goods movement; enhance multimodal connections; and lead to new or substantially improved intercity passenger rail transportation corridors.

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