Doyle has hopes for high-speed rail

Talk about it

Gov. Jim Doyle said during his State of the State address last night that Wisconsin is "poised to become the nation's leader in high-speed rail manufacturing."

But for that to happen, President Obama would have to approve funding for a network of trains that would link numerous cities in the Midwest, and no one is saying that's a done deal yet.

According to national news reports, Obama could make an announcement tomorrow about the $8 billion in stimulus money set aside for high-speed rail projects throughout the country.

The Midwest network would take $3.5 billion of that, and $517 million would build Wisconsin's first link between Milwaukee and Madison.

Doyle spokesman Adam Collins would only say a federal decision is expected soon.

Last year, the state contracted with Talgo of Spain to build two high-speed trains somewhere in Wisconsin. At the time, Doyle said the order could grow to as many as 50 trains if the stimulus funds for the Midwest rail network are approved.

Tags: news, wisconsin, industry