Public information meeting scheduled for Truesdell crossovers

February 13, 2012

Project will improve reliability of passenger rail services in Wisconsin

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) is hosting a public information meeting to present plans for selected railroad track and signal improvements in Kenosha and Racine counties along the Canadian Pacific railroad corridor. The improvements will provide additional alternatives for passenger and freight trains to use when one of the mainline tracks is out of service due to maintenance, construction activity or a disabled train. Construction will begin this spring.

The meeting is scheduled from 4 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, February 22. It will be held inside the Sturtevant Train Station, located at 9900 East Exploration Court.

The purpose of the Truesdell crossovers project is to improve the reliability of the Hiawatha and Empire Builder passenger rail services in Wisconsin. The passenger trains encounter delays when one of the two mainline tracks is out of service for any reason. This delay negatively impacts the otherwise excellent on-time performance of the passenger train services.

The major elements of the project include:

• Install two new railroad crossover locations to allow a train on one track to cross over to the other track.
• Upgrade the two existing hot box detectors that signal a train car may need to be inspected.
• Build two new setout tracks to provide a place for freight trains to remove individual cars that need repairs.
• Provide two new access roads to the setout tracks for crews to make equipment repairs.
• Provide two access roads near the crossovers to perform maintenance on the signal system.
• Upgrade the railroad signal system and improve communications.

The public is encouraged to attend the meeting, provide input and ask questions. Displays will be available at the meeting to show the railroad improvement plans. WisDOT representatives will be available to discuss the project and answer questions.

For additional information about the Truesdell crossovers project, visit the WisDOT Web site.

If you are unable to attend the meeting, or would like more information, contact Carrie Cooper at (414) 750-0753. Written comments regarding the project should be mailed by March 2, 2012, to Carrie Cooper, Wisconsin Department of Transportation, 433 West St. Paul Avenue, Suite 300, Milwaukee, WI 53203-3007. People who are deaf or hard of hearing and who require an interpreter may request one by contacting Carrie Cooper at least three working days prior to the meeting.

For more information, contact:
Project Manager Carrie Cooper, WisDOT
(414) 750-0753, carrie.cooper@dot.wi.gov