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Stop that train here -- Residents turn out in support of commuter rail
By Scott Anderson
RACINE - Lori Manly was still wearing her red and white pinstriped work shirt from her job at Miller Brewing Co. in Milwaukee when she arrived Wednesday night at Gateway Technical
College.
Manly, along with about 75 other area residents attended a public meeting held by the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission where they presented transportation options for the corridor between Milwaukee and Chicago.
On the top of the list: Developing the Kenosha-Racine-Milwaukee project, or KRM, to bring a 33-mile commuter rail service from Milwaukee, through Racine and connecting with existing Metra service in Kenosha.
"I work long hours, sometimes 12 hours a day," she said. "I drive an hour each way, so I'm wasting 2 hours each day. I really hate the drive; sometimes it's
dangerous."
Bus Rapid Transit: The development of a commuter bus service between Milwaukee, Racine and Kenosha.
Transportation System Management: Improving existing bus services, increasing park-and-ride capacity and improving traffic flow of designated highways.
No-Build: This option essentially maintains the existing transportation system that we have without making any changes.
KRM was given the task of studying and later presenting transportation options to the public as part of their responsibilities in reporting to the Federal Transit Administration, the project's primary source of funding.
But anyone suspecting commuter rail is on the fast track should be aware of its timetable.
The project, which made its start back in 1996, may not see its completion until 2008 or beyond.
"This is the beginning of a multi-year process," Grigg said. "If you want federal money, you're talking about a process that takes years and years."
The federal money Grigg is talking about is $81 million for the proposed commuter extension in our area. The funding was made available from a $256 billion federal transportation bill signed in 2005.
Grigg said Wednesday's meeting was meant to give the public a way to stay involved with the commuter rail project.
At the meeting, people were able to submit their comments to KRM on comment forms or in person after the presentation. KRM officials also said people are welcome to submit comments either by phone, e-mail or on their Web site.
Public feedback from the meetings will go toward publishing an environmental impact statement by January 2007 for the FTA. The FTA will look at the four transit options given in Wednesday's presentation to determine which one will be implemented and how much federal funding to provide.
Regardless of the timetable, Grigg said bringing commuter rail service to Racine - or any area - has the potential to create economic development.
Manly used to live in Elmhurst, Ill., and said the expansion of commuter rail in her former hometown was a boon for the local economy.
"We saw tremendous change in the five years since the train came," she said. "We saw unbelievable growth. Little bungalows began selling for $489,000, we saw redevelopment and rebuilt our schools into state-of-the-art
facilities."
Alfonso Gardner was more skeptical.
"They come for our support, but what benefit is there for our community?" he said. Gardner went on to say that he doesn't think KRM's project, including infrastructure and maintenance work, is going to mean any more jobs for Racine's black community.
Gardner cited a recent study performed by the Employment and Training Institute at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee which found that Wisconsin efforts to increase the number of minority workers in their employ fell far short of stated goals.
The study found that state contractors were, on average, 11 white apprentices for every black apprentice.
Aside from the benefits light rail may bring, many plan to take advantage of expanded rail service to broaden their recreational horizons.
John Magee of Racine said he plans on using the train to make it easier to visit Summerfest in Milwaukee and the annual St. Patrick's Day parade in Chicago.
Manly said she also likes the idea of taking the train to Summerfest, especially if they've been drinking. "When you're drinking beer, take the train, don't drive back," she said.
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