Report: Proposed passenger rail service could produce $23 billion in benefits

WisBusiness.com

A report for an enhanced Midwest rail system says the project has great potential benefits in the form of time savings, congestion
relief, emission reductions and economic gains.

A recent study completed for the nine-state Midwest Regional Rail System (MWRRS) indicates the proposed 3,000-mile regional rail initiative could generate over $23 billion in user benefits during the first 40-years of the project.

In Wisconsin, the benefits total between $3.5 billion and $4.6 billion, in addition to
creating 9,570 new permanent jobs and $173 million in extra household income.

The report indicates that every dollar invested in the high-speed passenger rail service would generate $1.80 in benefits – one of the
highest returns for any regional rail system in the U.S.

The MWRRS in Wisconsin would consist of two proposed routes: Chicago to St. Paul, and Chicago to Green Bay. More information, including a link to the full report can be
found on the WisDOT Web site at: .