For 25 years, the Pecatonica Rail Transit Commission (PRTC) has worked tirelessly to preserve local rail service between the communities of Monroe and Janesville. Due to the presence of rail, Green County businesses and communities have an economic lifeline to the greater Midwest region, our nation's ports, and our world markets. This connection has enabled communities like Monroe, Juda and Brodhead to expand their industrial footprint and offer local employment to their citizens. Today, more than 500 people are employed by rail-dependent businesses in Green County.
In order for businesses and communities to meet their industrial needs, a viable rail system with appropriate rail capacity is essential. Since 2002, rail demand from three local employers in Monroe has increased a staggering 395 percent. That's four times the rail traffic today than seven years ago. Up to this point, Wisconsin & Southern has met this unprecedented increase, while utilizing the same rail capacity all these years.
Due to this surge in rail demand, our railroad has been forced to run unnecessary back-and-forth movements between our Janesville terminal and our customer base in Monroe. As you may have noticed, this results in increased train activity in the city, additional emissions from locomotives, and an accelerated rate of deterioration to the rail corridor. This results in inefficiencies that impact our environment and the quality of life for Monroe residents.
A proposal to extend the mainline track 1.5 miles west along the original track alignment starting from where our active corridor crosses over the Badger State Trail will remedy these "quality of life" issues while allowing local rail-dependent employers to meet the future needs of their business and employees. This extension will be built in a rail corridor that was preserved for nearly three decades for railroad purposes. The time has come to begin addressing today and tomorrow's economic needs while utilizing infrastructure that always was preserved for future rail.
As was mentioned numerous times in our public meeting on July 24, Wisconsin & Southern and the PRTC are committed to working together with the Trail Commission in determining the feasibility of jointly using the rail corridor for continued trail access into Monroe.
This project can be a "win-win" for all parties if strong leadership and forward thinking form the backbone of a collaborative process that will address both the county's rail and trail interests now and into the future.
- Ken Lucht is manager of public affairs for Wisconsin & Southern Railroad Co.
In order for businesses and communities to meet their industrial needs, a viable rail system with appropriate rail capacity is essential. Since 2002, rail demand from three local employers in Monroe has increased a staggering 395 percent. That's four times the rail traffic today than seven years ago. Up to this point, Wisconsin & Southern has met this unprecedented increase, while utilizing the same rail capacity all these years.
Due to this surge in rail demand, our railroad has been forced to run unnecessary back-and-forth movements between our Janesville terminal and our customer base in Monroe. As you may have noticed, this results in increased train activity in the city, additional emissions from locomotives, and an accelerated rate of deterioration to the rail corridor. This results in inefficiencies that impact our environment and the quality of life for Monroe residents.
A proposal to extend the mainline track 1.5 miles west along the original track alignment starting from where our active corridor crosses over the Badger State Trail will remedy these "quality of life" issues while allowing local rail-dependent employers to meet the future needs of their business and employees. This extension will be built in a rail corridor that was preserved for nearly three decades for railroad purposes. The time has come to begin addressing today and tomorrow's economic needs while utilizing infrastructure that always was preserved for future rail.
As was mentioned numerous times in our public meeting on July 24, Wisconsin & Southern and the PRTC are committed to working together with the Trail Commission in determining the feasibility of jointly using the rail corridor for continued trail access into Monroe.
This project can be a "win-win" for all parties if strong leadership and forward thinking form the backbone of a collaborative process that will address both the county's rail and trail interests now and into the future.
- Ken Lucht is manager of public affairs for Wisconsin & Southern Railroad Co.
