Wisconsin's Rail Transit
Commissions, made of appointed representatives from participating counties, are
created by state statute to oversee the freight rail Right-of-Ways throughout the State.
Rail Transit Commissions were created under the provisions of Wisconsin
Statutes 59.968 and 66.30 to preserve and continue freight rail service throughout the State. Many counties
took advantage of this legislative opportunity in the late 1970's and early 1980's
to secure and maintain freight rail through their community at a time when many railroads were being abandoned. Those counties interested preserving and overseeing freight corridor became members of a rail transit commission (RTC). Among activities, rail transit commissions may make acquisitions and rehabilitate rail; operate and maintain the lines; lease lines to a private railroad operator; or contract with any railroad operator to use these lines.
When formed, rail transit commissions and their member
counties took ownership of all track and improvements currently in place within
a specified geographic area (usually within the boundaries of their member
counties). This includes rail line, ties, ballast, bridges, and all
other associated improvements. The land underneath the improvements,
however, was retained and owned by the Wisconsin Department of
Transportation. Rail line track currently under the
ownership of a rail transit commission is considered public infrastructure
and is available for public transportation of goods and products, people,
etc.
Most of the rail transit commissions in existence today have hired and
contracted with a private railroad company (such as WSOR), to provide freight
rail service to their counties, communities, and shippers.
Currently, Wisconsin is home to
seven rail transit commissions, including: - East Wisconsin Counties Railroad Consortium (EWCR) - Columbia, Dodge, Fond du Lac, Green Lake, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Sheboygan, Washington, and Winnebago Counties
- Pecatonica Rail Transit Commission (PRTC) - Dane, Green, Lafayette, Rock Counties
- Pink Lady Rail Transit Commission - Sauk County
- South Central Wisconsin Rail Transit Commission (SCWRTC) - Dane and Green Counties
- Washburn County Rail Transit Commission -Washburn County
- West Wisconsin Rail Transit Authority-Barron and Chippewa Counties
- Wisconsin River Rail Transit Commission (WRRTC) - Crawford, Dane, Grant, Iowa, Rock, Sauk, Walworth, and Waukesha Counties
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