Racine Common Council approves KRM regional rail corridor; project takes major step forward

RACINE, Wis. — The Racine Common Council cast a unanimous vote on Monday, April 15, that will advance the development of the Kenosha-Racine-Milwaukee (KRM) Regional Rail Corridor.

The resolutions authorized a new contract with DB E.C.O. North America Inc. to oversee the next phase of planning and federal funding applications.

The KRM project, energized by a $5 million allocation from the 2022 Consolidated Appropriations Act, is designed to address the region’s pressing transportation and economic needs. The proposed rail service is expected to enhance access to jobs, healthcare and educational opportunities, easing the stress on existing infrastructure and providing a sustainable alternative to road traffic.

The City rescinded a previous resolution and replaced it with a mandate on Monday for Mayor Cory Mason and the City Clerk to enter into a $2 million professional services agreement with DB E.C.O. North America Inc. instead of HDR Engineering, according to a staff memo about the project.

“The City of Racine is the largest city furthest away from interstate highways in the Midwest. Even though we’re in the third largest economic region in the United States—between Milwaukee and Chicago—we’re not connected,” said Trevor Jung, transit and mobility director for the City of Racine. “This is about connecting the city to two major economic hubs.”

KRM project will enhance regional transit connections

This move aims to push forward the KRM project, a key component of southeastern Wisconsin’s broader strategy to bolster connectivity and spur economic growth by linking Racine, Kenosha and Milwaukee through a reliable commuter rail system.

According to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) and the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (SEWRPC), within just a mile of the ten proposed KRM stations, the area encompasses 130,000 job opportunities and houses 120,000 people. The demographic profile of the residents includes a poverty rate of 22% and a significant minority population constituting 39%. Additionally, transportation accessibility is a major issue, as 13% of the 48,000 households in the corridor lack access to any car, and 43% have just one car. Nearly half of these households earn less than $50,000 annually.

Furthermore, the KRM passenger rail service would significantly enhance connectivity, according to a city staff memo dated April 8, providing access to over 400,000 jobs within a 30-minute transit ride.

This information underscores the transformative potential of the KRM project in addressing socio-economic and mobility challenges in the region.

“All of the people who’ve said that the City of Racine isn’t what it used to be in terms of its economic output can be directly tied to ending that type of passenger rail service in 1972,” Jung said. “When that stopped – and it began out in Sturtevant, and then the interstate became developed – that’s when you saw divestment from the private sector from the city out to the suburbs, not because of taxes, but because of infrastructure.

Financial strategy and taxpayer considerations

The study is fully funded by federal grants and requires no local tax contributions.

The funding will finalize the rail project’s planning stages and secure further federal support for environmental reviews and preliminary engineering. For local taxpayers, this strategic use of federal funds minimizes the immediate financial impact while promising significant long-term benefits through enhanced property values and economic development, according to a city staff memo.

Beyond transportation, the KRM rail line is anticipated to catalyze economic revitalization, particularly in urban areas that have historically faced disinvestment. It aims to attract new businesses and foster transit-oriented developments around the planned station areas, potentially transforming the corridor into a bustling economic hub.

“If you build infrastructure, you create an easy way for people to get from point A to point B, spend money to start businesses in your community, and grow your economy. That’s really why this is important.”

Forward momentum

Approval of the contract with DB E.C.O. North America Inc. would mark a significant step in transitioning the KRM project from conceptual plans to tangible actions. This includes detailed infrastructure assessments, community engagement and preparations for federal funding applications, setting a robust foundation for the rail system’s future development.

The study is expected to be completed in the spring of 2025.

Editor’s note: This article was generated by ChatGPT.