UPDATE: Wisconsin, Illinois extend comments deadline for Hiawatha service expansion

Wisconsin and Illinois are studying whether to expand the popular, state-supported Chicago-Milwaukee Hiawatha service from seven daily round trips (six on Sundays) to 10, and have extended the public comment period for an Environmental Assessment of that expansion.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT), Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and Amtrak – in coordination with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) – hosted a trio of public meetings in Milwaukee, Chicago, and Glenview, Ill.,  to present and summarize the Environmental Assessment and associated Service Development Plan.

The Environmental Assessment, which will examine the potential impacts of service expansion, was prepared following the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act.

Public comments initially were due by November 15, 2016, but official have extended that deadline to January 15, 2017, 

The Draft Environmental Assessment document is available online at chi-milwrailstudy.wi.gov and at Illinoisrail.org.

Written comments can be submitted at the meeting, or mailed or emailed. Submit them by mail to:

Arun D. Rao 
Passenger Rail Implementation Manager
Wisconsin Department of Transportation, Rails and Harbors Section
4802 Sheboygan Ave. Rm 701
Madison, WI 53707

Or by email to DOTChicagoMilwaukeePassengerRailEA@dot.wi.gov. 

Comments received by January 15, 2017, will become part of the official public meeting record.