Milwaukee Airport Railroad Station
Milwaukee Airport | ||||||||||||||||
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Milwaukee, Wisconsin United States | ||||||||||||||||
Coordinates | 42°56′26″N 87°55′29″W / 42.94056°N 87.92472°W | |||||||||||||||
Owned by | Wisconsin Department of Transportation | |||||||||||||||
Line(s) | CPKC C&M Subdivision | |||||||||||||||
Platforms | 1 side platform | |||||||||||||||
Tracks | 2 | |||||||||||||||
Connections | Shuttle to air terminal | |||||||||||||||
Construction | ||||||||||||||||
Parking | 300 spaces, paid | |||||||||||||||
Bicycle facilities | Outdoor bicycle parking | |||||||||||||||
Accessible | Yes | |||||||||||||||
Other information | ||||||||||||||||
Station code | Amtrak: MKA | |||||||||||||||
History | ||||||||||||||||
Opened | January 18, 2005 | |||||||||||||||
Rebuilt | 2012; 2025 (planned) | |||||||||||||||
Passengers | ||||||||||||||||
FY 2022 | 84,621[1] (Amtrak) | |||||||||||||||
Services | ||||||||||||||||
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Milwaukee Airport Railroad Station is an
Service and facilities
The Milwaukee Airport Rail Station's primary functions are to serve as an
The 1,600-square-foot (150 m2) station includes a Quik-Trak ticket machine, restrooms, a seating area, and covered walkways to both the drive-up area and the boarding platform.[4][5] As the station is unstaffed, all tickets from the station need to be purchased online, from the Quik-Trak machine or on the train from a conductor. Passengers needing checked baggage service are advised to use the downtown station.[6] The station parking lot contains 300 spaces and a fee is charged to park.[7] All revenue generated from parking fees is used to finance the station's operating costs.[6] Transport to and from the airport terminal is provided by the free shuttle buses operated by the airport.[6]
History
The idea of opening an Amtrak station in the vicinity of Mitchell Airport had been discussed since the mid-1970s.[8] The justification for not building the station at the time was based on infrequent Amtrak service and relatively congestion-free access to the airport from the south via I-94 and WI 119.[8] By the late 1990s, a station at the airport was proposed as part of the Midwest Regional Rail Initiative.[9] In June 2001, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation authorized $100,000 to start the preliminary design for the station, with an original opening slated for late-2003.[10]
How to fund construction of the station became an issue following objections from both airport and Milwaukee County officials.
Groundbreaking for the facility occurred on June 28, 2004.
The station was designed for trains carrying only four
In February 2019, the Federal Railroad Administration awarded $5 million in Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements funds to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation to add a second 800-foot-long (240 m) platform and a footbridge at the station.[25] Construction on the $17.2 million project began in June 2023, with completion expected in June 2025.[26][2]
References
- ^ a b "Amtrak Fact Sheet, Fiscal Year 2022: State of Wisconsin" (PDF). Amtrak. June 2023. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
- ^ a b Jannene, Jeramey (September 22, 2023). "Friday Photos: Airport Train Station Construction Progressing". Urban Milwaukee. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
- ^ a b c Amtrak (October 26, 2009), Hiawatha Service Timetable: Milwaukee – Chicago (PDF), Amtrak
- ^ "Milwaukee Airport Railroad Station". Wisconsin Department of Transportation. Archived from the original on September 12, 2008. Retrieved January 3, 2010.
- ^ "Milwaukee – General Mitchell International Airport, WI (MKA)". Amtrak. Retrieved January 3, 2010.
- ^ a b c Sandler, Larry (January 14, 2005). "Amtrak on track to open at airport; Officials expect to lure O'Hare traffic". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. p. 1B.
- ^ "Milwaukee Airport Railroad Station". wisconsindot.gov. Wisconsin Department of Transportation. Retrieved August 28, 2017.
- ^ a b Sandler, Larry (March 10, 1996). "Norquist, Daley considering Mitchell-O'Hare train". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. p. 3A.
- ^ Sandler, Larry (October 21, 2000). "Thompson tours site of possible rail station". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. p. 3B.
- ^ Sandler, Larry (June 12, 2001). "Amtrak station at Mitchell advances". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. p. 1A.
- ^ a b Sandler, Larry (June 13, 2001). "Funding for Amtrak stop up in air; County, airlines not interested in footing bill for airport station". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. p. 3B.
- ^ Sandler, Larry (July 13, 2001). "U.S. Senate panel backs Hoan funds; Bill would cover repairs, fund airport Amtrak, Kohl says". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. p. 3B.
- ^ Sandler, Larry (December 4, 2001). "U.S. aid for Hoan repair advances; Congressional panel sets aside $7.5 million". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. p. 3B.
- ^ Sandler, Larry (February 25, 2003). "State, federal budgets would keep railway passengers on track". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. p. 3B.
- ^ a b Sandler, Larry (May 18, 2003). "DOT officials consider train service to Mitchell". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. p. 3B.
- ^ a b c Sandler, Larry (June 29, 2004). "Amtrak breaks ground for airport station". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. p. 1D.
- ^ Sandler, Larry (August 15, 2004). "Mitchell touted as alternative to O'Hare". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. p. 2B.
- ^ a b Sandler, Larry (January 19, 2005). "Amtrak launches airport link". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. p. 3B.
- ^ Wisconsin Department of Transportation (August 2009), Milwaukee Airport Rail Station Platform Extension Grant, Application Number: HSR2010000142 (PDF), archived from the original (PDF) on May 28, 2010, retrieved January 4, 2010
- ^ "HSIPR Funding by Region". Federal Railroad Administration. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
- ^ Sperry, Benjamin R.; Morgan, Curtis A. (December 2011). Intercity Passenger Rail: Implications for Urban, Regional, and National Mobility (PDF) (Report). United States Department of Transportation Research and Innovative Technology Administration. p. 23.
- ^ "Amtrak Fact Sheet, Fiscal Year 2012: State of Wisconsin" (PDF). Amtrak. November 2012.
- ^ Johnston, Bob (March 19, 2020). "Amtrak sets more cuts in Midwest, announces first changes on West Coast". Trains Magazine. Archived from the original on March 20, 2020.
- ^ "First 'Hiawatha' trains to return June 1". Trains Newswire. May 25, 2020. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
- ^ "FRA To Provide Nearly $57M In New CRISI Grants". AASHTO Journal. February 15, 2019. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
- ^ "Milwaukee Airport Rail Station Second Platform and Pedestrian Overpass Project". Wisconsin Department of Transportation. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
External links
Media related to Milwaukee Airport Railroad Station at Wikimedia Commons