Rail

Freight railroads provide key transportation services to manufacturers and other industrial firms. Ten freight railroads in Wisconsin operate on a system of approximately 3,500 route miles. Combined, they handled over 3.1 million cars and 180 million tons of freight per year.

Amtrak operates two passenger trains in Wisconsin: the long-distance Empire Builder operating from Chicago to Seattle and Portland, with six Wisconsin stops; and the Hiawatha Service that carries more than 800,000 passengers each year on seven daily round-trips in the Chicago-Milwaukee corridor.

In addition to supporting passenger and freight rail activities in the state, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation works to improve safety at over 4,400 public highway-rail grade crossings throughout the state.

• Programs for Local Government (includes programs that can assist railroads, other businesses and groups): freight rail infrastructure improvement program, freight rail preservation program and railroad crossing improvements.
• Plans & Projects: rail projects, plans and studies
• Safety & Consumer protection: highway-rail grade crossing safety
• Travel information: passenger and freight rail services, park and ride lots

Other information may be found in the Library or News areas.

Questions about the content of this page:
Office of Public Affairs, opa.exec@dot.wi.gov 
Last modified: January 11, 2012