(The Center Square) – Nearly $39 million in federal funding will be going to Amtrak’s Borealis Service, which runs through Wisconsin on the route between Chicago and St. Paul, Minnesota.
The eight Wisconsin stops on the line include Milwaukee, the Wisconsin Dells and La Crosse. Amtrak opened the line in May with trips from St. Paul at midday and from Chicago in the late morning.
Ridership included more than 100,000 riders in the first 22 weeks of service. The full list of stops includes Sturtevant, Milwaukee, Columbus, Portage, the Wisconsin Dells, Tomah and La Crosse.
Leaders say that it fills schedule gaps from the Amtrak Empire Builder trains.
The funding will support the rest of the second year of service along with years three through six with the states of Wisconsin, Minnesota and Illinois also funding the line.
“This investment doubles down on the success of Amtrak’s Borealis Service, reducing wear and tear on our roads, attracting new visitors, and bringing new business to our state,” said Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wisconsin.
The funding comes from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Restoration and Enhancement Grants Program.
The program is setup to assist with operating costs for eligible projects that will establish service on new routes, restore service on routes that formerly had intercity passenger operations and enhance service on existing routes.
There was $102 billion in rail funding in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, including $250 million for the R&E Program.