Wisconsin's Foxconn Deal Inspiring Lots of Transit Planning

The msot recent proposal for new public transit to serve the Foxconn facility in Racine County: a commuter rail connection from Downtown Milwaukee.

1 minute read

April 2, 2018, 7:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


"With Foxconn’s proposed $10 billion factory campus in southern Racine County poised to reshape southeastern Wisconsin, Milwaukee Alderman Robert Bauman has introduced the idea of a commuter rail line to connect city residents to the estimated 13,000 jobs the company is poised to create," reports Jeramey Jannene.

The new Foxconn facility has already inspired several transportation planning schemes, including a proposal for two new bus routes announced earlier in March by Milwaukee County Board Chairman Theodore Lipscomb, Sr. Another, introduced in February by Bauman, "would leverage the expansion of the Amtrak Hiawatha Service between Chicago and Milwaukee to provide fast service between the city and rural factory campus," according to Jannene. Reports from November 2017 revealed that Foxconn executives pushed for autonomous vehicle lanes in its negotiations with state and regional officials.  

As for Bauman's idea of building a new commuter rain line, the proposal would connect N. 35th St. and W. Capitol Dr. in Milwaukee to Highway 11 in southern Racine County. The proposal would require additional public financing, which could be included in the $4 billion the state has pledged to devote to the Foxconn deal. The Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission has already included in a rail line along the proposed alignment in its Vision 2050 plan.

Wednesday, March 28, 2018 in Urban Milwaukee

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

September 16, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

Passengers board an Amtrak train under a cloudy sky.

Amtrak, CN end decades-long dispute with eight-year agreement

The new operating agreement establishes an updated framework for the companies to work together, including processes to resolve disputes.

September 18, 2026 - Mass Transit

The Gross Reservoir, a large body of water surrounded by trees and mountains.

Judges permit Denver to divert 77,000 acre feet from the Colorado River for reservoir expansion

Overuse and climate change have caused the Colorado River’s water levels to plummet.

September 18, 2026 - Inside Climate News

A painted bus lane in NYC.

NYC DOT wants faster, more permanent street upgrades

The city is examining ways to build more concrete infrastructure without getting entangled in 'decades-long' projects.

September 21 - NYC Streetsblog

A woman looks at a utility bill.

'Something we’ve never seen before:' rising utility rates could strain city finances nationwide

Data centers, climate change and other factors have caused utility rates in the United States to increase by 38% since 2020.

September 21 - Smart Cities Dive

A person scuba diving in a coral reef off Guam.

Trump to overrule local leaders, lease millions of acres of America’s Pacific Island territories’ seafloors to mining companies

International law says that the Indigenous people of America’s territories have a right to prior and informed consent regarding projects that impact their countries.

September 21 - Grist