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West Allis line up for abandonment (updated 10/21/06)
According to a visitor to this site, crews started taking up rail around Hawley Rd. on August 28.
On July 28 the STB extended yet again the negotiating period between WisDOT/DNR and the Soo Line - this time to October 31. See the decision text for more information.
On April 28, 2006, the Surface Transportation Board released its decision from April 27 granting an extension of the NITU negotiating period to August 2, 2006. Decision text. On April 21, 2006, WisDOT, on behalf of WisDNR, filed a request for an additional 90-day extension of the NITU negotiating period. WisDOT states that negotiations are continuing between the parties but more time is needed to finalize negotiations. On April 24, 2006, Soo Line filed its response, stating that it agrees to the extension request to complete negotiations. The NITU negotiating period will be extended for 90 days from May 4, 2006, until August 2, 2006.
On February 2, 2006, the Surface Transportation Board released its decision from February 1 granting an extension of the NITU negotiating period to May 4, 2006. Decision text. On January 30, 2006, WisDOT, on behalf of WisDNR, filed a request for an additional 90-day extension of the NITU negotiating period. WisDOT states that negotiations are continuing between the parties but more time is needed to finalize negotiations. On January 31, 2006, Soo Line filed its response, stating that it agrees to the extension request to complete negotiations. The NITU negotiating period will be extended for 90 days from February 3, 2006, until May 4, 2006.
On October 28, 2005, the Surface Transportation Board released its decision from October 26 granting an extension of the NITU negotiating period to February 3, 2006. Decision text. On October 20, 2005, WisDOT, on behalf of WisDNR, filed a request for an additional 90-day extension of the NITU negotiating period. WisDOT stated that negotiations were continuing between the parties but more time was needed to finalize negotiations. Concurrently, Soo Line filed its response, stating that it agreed to the extension request to complete negotiations. The NITU negotiating period will be extended for 90 days from November 5, 2005, until February 3, 2006.
On September 2 the Surface Transportation Board released its decision from September 1 granting an extension of the NITU negotiating period to November 5, 2005. Decision text.
July 23, 2005
5-mile rail purchase could hasten bike path: Hank
Aaron State Trail would extend westward
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Milwaukee (WI)
The state has begun pursuing an unexpected opportunity to buy five miles of
abandoned railroad right of way and use it to extend the slowly developing
Hank Aaron State Trail west to Waukesha County. See the article for more information.
On February 8, 2005 the Surface Transportation Board (STB) released a Decision and Notice of interim trail use or abandonment regarding the CP's application. A paragraph from the decision reads, "In its November 3, 2004 letter, Avalon expresses concerns about the proposed abandonment. It challenges Soo Line's statement that Avalon has not used the subject trackage since October 2001. Avalon claims that it had expected a delivery of a railcar the week it was notified that the West Allis Line had been embargoed in July 2003. Avalon states that, because of the embargo, it was forced into using UP to meet its clients' needs, even though Soo Line rather than UP serves the depot in Milwaukee. Avalon indicates that it has had some difficulty in using UP's rail line, in view of the condition of the UP line and the fact that Avalon has had to incur the costs, along with its clients, for reconstructing a curve over the last year to receive certain railcars without damage. Avalon also claims that track from the West Allis Line extending at least 12 car lengths must be left in place for UP to be able to switch multiple railcars and equipment in and out of the West Allis location. Avalon adds that there are a number of businesses adjacent to the line that are interested in Soo Line's rail service."
On December 20, 2004, the Suface Transportation Board (STB) released its Environmental Assessment on the Soo Line's application to abandon a 5-mile line of the railroad known as the West Allis Line. According to the railroad the line was last used in October 2001 and has not have overhead traffic for the past five years. Ryerson Steel is the only former customer on the line, and has not receievd rail traffic in the past two years. The line also connects to a spur owned by Whitnall Summit Co., and Avalon Rail (the passenger car rebuilder) is located on the spur but since October 2001 has used the Union Pacific as its primary carrier. The eastern end of the line terminates at Airline and Muskego Yards and would continue to be used for rail purposes. The western end of the line terminates with a section that serves a number of active shippers which would continue to be serviced by the Soo Line. Comments on the review are due to the STB by January 18.
A final decision will be issued by February 8, 2005 by the Surface Transportation Board (STB) regarding the CP's application to abandon a 5-mile line of the railroad known as the West Allis Line, extending from milepost 88.2 near the State Highway 41 crossing in Milwaukee to milepost 93.2 near N. 123rd St. in Wauwatosa. The notice is available online. The line runs through Wisconsin State Fair Park near the north end of the park. The former Milwaukee Road depot on 76th St. was torn down years ago, and the line, built it 1864, was once used to bring train loads of patrons to the Wisconsin State Fair. The line has not seen much traffic in recent years, although it has been used to reroute trains in and out of Milwaukee when needed over the years, including Amtrak's Empire Builder.
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