Wisconsin to get $810 million for high-speed rail

This post may be welcome news to those of you hailing from Chicago or Milwaukee (or potentially the Twin Cities area). There are all sorts of great benefits to this - not the least being the potential to come home and sleep in my own bed in Madison after an "adult beverage" or four at the Brewer's game. In any case, Madison, welcome to the 21st century (or 20th century Europe)!

by Jason Stein

After decades without rail service between Madison and Milwaukee, an infusion of more than $800 million in federal stimulus money could establish passenger train service between the state’s two largest cities by 2013.
The passenger rail service between Milwaukee and Madison would include stops in Brookfield, Oconomowoc and Watertown and eventual top speeds of 110 mph.
“The state is well positioned to get it done quickly, and that’s very, very exciting,” said Rick Harnish, executive director of the Midwest High Speed Rail Association.

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