Things are chugging along for an Amtrak station in Madison

Things are on track for Amtrak rail service to Madison, and the city wants your feedback to help decide where the train station will be located.

There is a virtual information session tonight at 6 p.m. to discuss the locations being considered.

What we know

There is a planned extension of Amtrak’s Hiawatha Service , linking Madison to Milwaukee and Chicago. Future plans include connecting Madison to Eau Claire and the Twin Cities.

The hope is that the new Madison station is built and operational by 2031.

Last year’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, setting aside $102 billion in federal funding for rail lines, has made it possible.

What is being considered

Earlier this year, the city explored six corridors and have since honed that list to three:

• Downtown/Isthmus
• First Street (near the coming Madison Public Market)
• Oscar Mayer plant

The proposed 3,200-sqft train station, with appropriate room for track, ADA requirements, layover, and train servicing facilities, will reside on one of eight potential sites:

• Aberg Avenue
• Baldwin Street
• Blair Street
• Commercial Avenue
• First Street
• Johnson Street
• Livingston Street
• Monona Terrace

If are unable to attend tonight’s meeting you can contact the Office of the Common Council with your thoughts.