Metro Transit bus on the square, cyclist in the foreground
Transportation
Tom Lynch, Director of Transportation

Passenger Rail Station Study

January 2025 Update

Staff is actively working on the Passenger Rail Station Study and making progress on important details. We’ll share updates here as soon as we have more to share. Thanks for your interest and support!

About the Study

The City of Madison's Passenger Rail Station Study will evaluate options and identify recommendations for a passenger rail station that would be served by a planned extension of Amtrak's Hiawatha route.

Past and Future Public Meetings

Share Your Feedback and Questions

We want to hear from you! Feedback is welcome throughout the duration of the study. Please send your ideas and questions to the project team by emailing us at amtrak@cityofmadison.com.

Past Public Meeting Materials

April 30, 2024 - Alder Hosted Neighborhood Info Session Materials:

January/February 2024 - Public Meeting Materials:

Study Timeline

  1. Gather

    Gather data and review prior studies.

  2. Define

    Define station program elements and evaluation criteria. 

  3. Identify and Evaluate Corridors

    Identify and evaluate station corridors—general areas along existing railroad tracks where a station could be located.

  4. Identify and Evaluate Sites (in progress)

    Identify and evaluate specific station site options within station corridors.

  5. Select

    Select a recommended station site and develop a proposed site plan, estimate costs, and outline next steps.

  6. Publish

    Publish the station study report and adopt recommendation with next steps.

Learn More

Existing and Planned Passenger Rail Corridors in Wisconsin
Map showing the existing and planned passenger rail corridors in Wisconsin.

Station Corridors Under Consideration
Map of Madison Downtown Isthmus showing potential station locations

The next phase of this study will identify and evaluation specific station sites within one or more of these corridors.

 

Why is Madison studying a passenger rail station location?

The study is being conducted because new historic levels of Federal funding is available for passenger rail and Madison has been identified as a key connection expanding passenger rail options in Wisconsin. City staff are coordinating closely with Amtrak, the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, railroad companies, and other potential station cities for the study.

Read the answers to more frequently asked questions.

Background Materials
Was this page helpful to you?

Initiatives