Wisconsin Ag Connection - State Finalizes Rail Purchase to Support Freight Rail System

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State Finalizes Rail Purchase to Support Freight Rail System
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 12/12/2014

Governor Scott Walker announced the state has finalized the purchase of a 70-mile segment of rail line between Madison to Reedsburg and Madison to Cottage Grove.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation signed an acquisition agreement for the purchase of the Madison to Reedsburg and Cottage Grove rail corridor from the Union Pacific Railroad earlier this year. With the acquisition completed, there are approximately 600 miles of state-owned track in Wisconsin, including this segment that includes a bridge over Lake Wisconsin at the village of Merrimac.

The $30 million purchase was made jointly with the Wisconsin River Rail Transit Commission with funds from the Freight Rail Preservation Program which provides grants to local units of government, industries, and railroads for the purpose of preserving and rehabilitating essential rail lines. Service on the line will continue to be provided by the Wisconsin & Southern Railroad under lease with the WRRTC.

Last year, WSOR transported over 5,000 cars on the Madison to Reedsburg and Cottage Grove line, serving 23 customers including: United Coop, Landmark Agronomy, Seneca Foods, R.R. Donnelly/Perry Printing, Hanke Terminals, Greede Foundry and Hydrite Chemical. Commodities transported include grain, chemicals, polymers, paper, food products, lumber, aggregate and metal.

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