ProRailHelping people travel by train
-- and have more trains to travel

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation will hold public hearings around the state on its draft of a long-range transportation plan for Wisconsin with the first session Wednesday, Jan. 7, in Madison. Passenger rail advocates are encouraged to attend, and take friends interested in getting more passenger rail service in and from and to the state.

Ten such sessions are scheduled between Jan. 7 and Feb. 26. All meetings will be held from 5 to 8:00 P.M. and those who attend will learn more about the Connections 2030 plan released in November and will be able to ask questions and submit comments.

The Madison session will be held at the Alliant Energy Center in the Mendota Room, 1919 Allian Energy Center Way next to the Dane County Coliseum. See below for the dates and locations of the other nine sessions.

The "Connections 2030" plan "addresses all forms of transportation over a 20-year planning horizon: highways, local roads, air, water, rail, bicycle, pedestrian and transit," according to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.

"The overall goal of the planning process is to identify a series of policies to aid transportation decision-makers when evaluating programs and projects."

In preparation:

* Download and review the WisDOT's passenger rail and intercity bus fact sheet. It is one of nine WisDOT has developed on topics discussed in "Connections 2030". The fact sheets provide an overview of the specific topics and identify some of the draft plan recommendations. To view all nine fact sheets, click here.

* Download at least the draft plan executive summary here. (The same link also gives you access to the full draft plan itself, in 19 individual downloads.)

* Submit your comments in support of rail and transit either via email addressed to connections2030@dot.state.wi.us or otherwise to Connections 2030, WisDOT Bureau of Planning, P.O. Box 7913, Room 901, Madison, WI 53707-7913

* Explore the "Connections 2030" Web site for other information here.

OTHER LOCATIONS:

La Crosse
Thursday, January 8, 2009
UW-La Crosse
Cartright Center, Valhalla Room
1741 State St., La Crosse, WI

Milwaukee
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Milwaukee County Downtown Transit Center Harbor Lights Room
909 E. Michigan Ave., Milwaukee, WI

Kenosha
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
UW-Parkside, Student Center Ballroom
900 Wood Road, Kenosha, WI

Superior
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
UW-Superior, Rothwell Student Center Ballroom
1605 Catlin Ave., Superior, WI

Eau Claire
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Sacred Heart Conference Center
900 W. Clairmont, Eau Claire, WI

Rhinelander
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Rhinelander High School Cafeteria
665 Coolidge Ave., Rhinelander, WI

Wausau
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Northcentral Technical College
1000 W. Campus Dr., Wausau, WI

Green Bay
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
St. Norbert's College
Bemis International Center Room 114, Suites A,B,C,D 100 Grant St., De Pere, WI

Oshkosh
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Park Plaza Hotel, Ballroom
One North Main, Oshkosh, WI