The Racine Common Council is set to vote Tuesday on whether to formally join Milwaukee and Kenosha in establishing the Milwaukee-Area-Racine-Kenosha (MARK) Passenger Rail Commission, a collaborative effort aimed at advancing intercity passenger rail service along the southeastern Wisconsin corridor.

If approved, Racine would authorize Mayor Cory Mason and the City Clerk to enter into an intergovernmental agreement with the cities of Milwaukee and Kenosha to create the commission under Wisconsin Statute § 66.0301.

A path to federal passenger rail investment

The proposed MARK Commission would function as a legally recognized public entity capable of applying for and managing state, federal, and private funding for passenger rail initiatives. This includes eligibility for the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) Corridor Identification and Development (CID) Program—an essential step in planning future service along the Union Pacific-Kenosha Subdivision line.

Transit & Mobility Director Trevor Jung’s memo describes the effort as a strategic and collaborative step toward a more connected Southeastern Wisconsin.

“The MARK Passenger Rail Commission will be an organized and strategic entity advocating for passenger rail investment in Southeastern Wisconsin, specifically on the Union Pacific-Kenosha Subdivision line,” Jung said.

Racine has already received $5 million in Congressionally Directed Spending, secured with support from U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin, to study service design and funding models for the corridor.

Why it matters

Passenger rail expansion along the MARK corridor is framed as a strategy to:

• Stimulate economic development near station areas
• Expand access to jobs by connecting Racine to Chicago and Milwaukee
• Encourage tourism and regional collaboration
• Reduce traffic congestion and environmental impacts through sustainable transit

The effort also aligns with long-term transportation plans like Vision 2050 and the Wisconsin Rail Plan 2050, both of which identify commuter rail as a priority for regional connectivity.

Structure and oversight

Initially composed of appointed commissioners from each founding city, the MARK Commission would:

• Oversee feasibility studies, station planning, and land use coordination
• Serve as a forum for regional decision-making
• Lead public engagement and advocacy efforts
• Operate under open meetings and public records laws

Additional municipalities along the corridor could join the commission in the future by mutual agreement of the founding members.

What’s next

If Racine adopts the resolution on Tuesday, the city will join Milwaukee and Kenosha as founding members and begin negotiating the final intergovernmental agreement. The commission’s formal launch would follow once all three cities adopt similar resolutions.

Where will the Racine Common Council meeting be held?

The Racine City Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, August 19, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. at the Racine Public Library, 75 7th Street, in the Community Room.

Learn more

The MARK Commission proposal appears on the agenda as Item #0816-25.

https://racinecountyeye.com/2025/08/18/racine-passenger-rail-commission-vote/