Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Streetsblog

Why Milwaukee’s New Train Platform Will Be Built at Two Heights

Here's an illuminating case study about the political and bureaucratic dysfunction that shapes transportation infrastructure in the United States.

A rendering of MIlwaukee's new train station. Image: Wisconsin Department of Transportation
A rendering of Milwaukee's new train station. Image: Wisconsin Department of Transportation
false

Network blog Systemic Failure notes that Milwaukee is finally rebuilding its run-down passenger rail station. New regulations require the station to provide level boarding to meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. But Milwaukee is served by two different Amtrak lines -- with two different train sets that have different boarding heights. So the station platform will have to be built at two different heights, higher in the middle and lower on both ends:

How did this situation come about? It wasn’t just an historical accident, but a combination of bad planning and bad politics.

In 2009, Wisconsin received an $810 million “high-speed” rail grant to upgrade the Hiawatha line to 110 mph. The money was to pay for new trains and a revamped Milwaukee station. With new trains and a new station, what better opportunity to examine level-platform boarding? However, planners ignored the issue because Federal regulations (at that time) did not require it.

Then Scott Walker won election to Governor, and refused the HSR grant money. With the grant money gone, Wisconsin taxpayers were on the hook to pay for the station re-build.

Meanwhile, the FRA adopted level-platform boarding rules. Wisconsin appealed to the FRA for a special waiver, arguing that work on the station pre-dated the rule change — but the FRA was obviously in no mood to do them any favors. And so we end up with a sub-optimal design that has to accommodate antiquated rolling stock.

Elsewhere on the Network today: Chris Smith at Portland Transport explains why he thinks Portland's proposal for $140-a-year "street fee" will be a good thing for active transportation. Mobilizing the Region finds a correlation between places that are dangerous for walking and other public health failures. And Pedestrian Observations discusses the best transit configurations for serving airports.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Appellate Court Allows Eric Adams To Rip Up Part of the Bedford Ave. Bike Lane

Mayor Adams can go ahead and remove three blocks of the Bedford Avenue protected bike lane, a court ruled.

July 28, 2025

Six Inane Arguments Mayor Adams Is Using To Defend Ripping Up The Bedford Ave. Bike Lane

City bureaucrats are undermining years of data-driven work to make streets safer in service of that mayor's bid to remove the protected bike lane.

July 28, 2025

Analysis: How to Leverage ‘City of Yes’ Zoning to Create More Housing Near Subways

Streetsblog analyses existing zoning, population and travel times to determine the best places for increasing housing density ... now!

July 28, 2025

Monday’s Headlines: Strung Out Edition

We're still shook about a series of string-related incidents on the Marine Parkway Bridge. Plus more news.

July 28, 2025

No Accident: Red Hook Pool Closure Saga Stems from Adams Administration ‘Underinvestment’

An Olympic-size pool in Red Hook has sat empty since the summer’s start, leaving residents in the area out to dry and pissed off in blistering, record high heat.

July 25, 2025

The Perfect Beast: Even Google’s AI Thinks Streets Are for Cars

Artificial intelligence is completely naturally addicted to promoting cars.

July 25, 2025
See all posts