Vrakas isn’t hopping aboard high-speed rail plan

U.S. Department of Transportation officials, who are having a difficult time finding a welcome home for a high-speed rail station in Waukesha County, should not expect any help from Dan Vrakas.
BizTimes Milwaukee asked Vrakas this week about his stance the feds’ $810 million plan to link Milwaukee to Madison by high-speed rail.
Ellen Nowak, who is Vrakas’ chief of staff, replied with the following statement:
“Regarding Dan’s position on high-speed rail in Waukesha County, Dan believes that it is a nonstarter. Dan has serious concerns about the start-up and ongoing costs for taxpayers associated with high-speed trains. Dan has been outspoken as an advocate for adequate highway funding for the South East Wisconsin metropolitan freeway system, a system while comprised of approximately 11% of the interstate freeway lane miles in Wisconsin, on any given day carries about 33% of all of the interstate traffic in Wisconsin.  It is critical to maintain our highways, in particular rebuilding the Zoo Interchange, Goerkes Corners and the Moorland Road interchange.  Finally, Dan has played an active role in the statewide effort to have an advisory referendum placed on County ballots that would prohibit future raids on the State’s Transportation Fund.  Thanks.”
– BizTimes Milwaukee