Committee authorizes application for federal-state rail grant to study and improve at-grade crossings

The Madison Finance Committee on Jan. 5, 2026, voted unanimously to authorize the Department of Transportation to apply for a Federal Railroad Administration federal-state partnership grant to support inner-city passenger-rail planning and crossing safety improvements.

Director Spieller told the committee the grant would fund two main elements: "The first is a set of crossing improvements at crossings we have identified" and a full safety evaluation of all at-grade crossings on the route to determine what additional safety measures are justified. He listed several crossings as examples: "Milwaukee Street, Winnebago, South Baldwin, South Patterson, Livingston." Spieller said any remaining grant funds could be used to implement improvements identified by the study.

Council members sought clarity about the grant's scope and whether applying now would commit the city to passenger rail service. Spieller said the grant must support future passenger-rail service but would not obligate the city to operations or put the city on the hook for Amtrak or other operators. He added that the improvements would also benefit current freight traffic.

Alder Figueroa Cole asked whether the city should wait given uncertainty about passenger service. "Why not wait?" she asked. Staff responded that the crossings already carry trains and that safety improvements would be useful regardless of whether passenger rail arrives: "All of these crossings already have trains running through them. All of these crossings could really benefit from safety improvements just for the current freight traffic." The study portion of the grant would also identify what would be needed to establish a quiet zone, if feasible.

The committee moved, seconded and recorded a unanimous vote to authorize the application. If awarded, the grant would fund targeted upgrades and a citywide evaluation of crossings along the corridor.