"HIGH SPEED RAIL AND LEAD PIPES"

Two crucial issues in stages of deliberation before the City Council will directly impact on the Tenney-Lapham area. At our last Council meeting, we alders were briefed about HIGH SPEED RAIL proposed by Wisconsin's Department of Transportation and its possible coming to Madison. We received the consultant's, (HNTB) report regarding this intercity passenger rail service and have been asked to provide a recommendation regarding the railroad's corridor alignment and location of rail station. This is the first phase of service planned to connect Chicago to St. Paul/Minneapolis which would further connect a 3,000-mile, nine-state network. At present, the U.S. Congress is deliberating on SB3152 which would provide $10 billion (80%) for the project's funding.

The report evaluates five different corridor alignment and station alternatives in Madison. The first is the Hoepker Road Alignment/USH 51 Station which is located on the far northeastern outskirts of Madison; second is Commercial Avenue Alignment/Airport Station; third is First Street Alignment/Airport Station; fourth is First Street Alignment/Pennsylvania Avenue Station; and fifth is Kohl Center Alignment/Old Milwaukee Road Station. Each of them have been presented as having different impacts in light of different criteria, including travel times, minimal costs, multi-modal support, access and impacts on station sites, natural resources impacts, home and business relocations, neighborhood /community impacts, and street and highway crossings.

The report's highest ranking and their recommendation is for Alternative 3, the First Street Alignment with the station located at the airport, and their second highest is Alternative 4, same corridor alignment with the station located at Pennsylvania Avenue next to the Fordem apartments. There would definitely be impacts on the Tenney-Lapham area, if in no other way than creating more traffic through the area. I have many questions which I'm relaying to city staff and HNTB. WiDOT has requested that the Council finalize a decision regarding the site locations by December, 2000 after going through various city committees. I see this deadline as virtually impossible and extremely unwise because of the seriousness of the issue and the necessity of receiving full public participation. Meetings scheduled thus far are Pedestrian/Bicycle/Motor Vehicle Commission, 10/24/00; Plan Commission, 11/6; Board of Public Works, 11/8; Board of Estimates, 11/13; Transit/Parking Commission, 11/14; and Long-Range Transportation Planning Commission, 11/16. It's probable that at some of these public meetings, the committee may wish to refer any decision-making until their next monthly meeting. Also, a public hearing is being scheduled for December 5, 2000 before the Common Council at 7 pm (to register, you need to do so before 7 pm).

You can ask for a copy of this report at the City's Transportation Department office (266-4761). Neighborhood meetings should be held. Please contact me with any questions or input. You can also contact Jim Beckwith of HNTB at jbeckwith@hntb.com or Dave Trowbridge of City's Department of Planning and Development, 266-4635.

Since I've run out of room, I'd also ask you to contact me regarding the new resolution regarding reimbursement for LEAD PIPES replacement, using revenues collected by the Sewer Utility.

Barbara Vedder

district2@council.ci.madison.wi.us

249-8428