Kenosha-Racine-Milwaukee Commuter Rail Project Gains Momentum with $5 Million Allocation

The dream of regional rail service is alive in Racine. The cities Finance and Personnel Committee this week allocated $5 million in federal Infrastructure Law funds to move the Kenosha-Racine-Milwaukee Commuter Rail project forward. One company is set to study the money aspect, researching a new financing method called Transit-Oriented Development Capture, which involves using funds generated by increases in the property tax base. An engineering company was selected to look into other planning issues, such as cost estimates, station locations, and possible alternatives to commuter rail.

The Kenosha-Racine-Milwaukee (KRM) commuter railway project has seen several recent advancements, with the Kenosha common council voicing support at their most recent meeting. The project aims to connect the three cities through a commuter rail system, with around 10 stations. The line would also provide a connection to Metra’s Union Pacific-North commuter rail line in Kenosha, which connects to Chicago.

Initial discussions this time around include having a private company owning and operating the rail, with the Wisconsin Transit and Realty Group being mentioned as the sponsoring entity. Early estimates say it’s going to cost $460 million dollars to get the line in operation.

The project is part of a broader effort to expand passenger rail service in Wisconsin, with plans to increase ridership by around 250,000 people in the next 10 years. There are plans to extend the Amtrak Hiawatha service to Green Bay by 2050, using more funds from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.