A New Passenger Train for Western Wisconsin — What Menomonie Stands to Gain

By Levi Freeman

After decades without scheduled passenger service, plans to reconnect Eau Claire and the Twin Cities by rail are moving forward, set to be done by 2029 — and Menomonie, which would get its own stop, could be one of the towns that benefits most. The project is currently being scoped out following a federal Corridor Identification award and local planning work, and while many details remain to be settled, the potential impacts on Menomonie are already becoming clear. 

The line being built by 2029 is the dark green line (photo from the Business News)

Where the project stands now

The Chippewa–St. Croix Rail Commission and the West Central Wisconsin Rail Coalition have accelerated the Eau Claire–Twin Cities concept into a tangible plan. A consultant team led by HDR Engineering, Inc. and HNTB Corp., both engineering firms based in the Midwest, were selected to carry out scoping work after the route won a place in the Federal Railroad Administration’s Corridor ID program, receiving federal funding. Local public meetings and surveys have been underway to shape routes, stops, and service patterns. Project leaders estimate the next major step will take roughly 2–2.5 years and will require additional federal grants plus non-federal matching funds. 

Why Menomonie Matters

Menomonie has plenty of reasons to want a train stop connecting to the Twin Cities: Menomonie has a historic downtown with small businesses, a large university population at UW-Stout, tons of job opportunities, and is close to both rural and urban communities attracting residents. On top of this, Menomonie can act as a gateway connecting students from UW Eau Claire and the University of Minnesota to UW-Stout, potentially creating a stronger bond between UW schools with the U of M. It would also allow residents to travel to the Twin Cities, and Eau Claire quickly and affordably, something that could attract more students and residents to the town.

Economic Boost and Downtown Revitalization

Passenger railways have historically acted as catalysts for local economic activity, and this wouldn’t change. For Menomonie, a stop could greatly increase foot traffic for downtown small businesses, attract new restaurants and lodging targeted at weekend visitors. Menomonie – being in a good spot between Minnesota and Wisconsin – could make it more attractive to workers looking for cheaper housing while still looking for jobs in urban areas like the Twin Cities or Eau Claire. 

Students, Commuting and Mobility

UW-Stout’s student population would be a huge asset to this project. Daily passenger rail service would give students affordable and reliable travel options to internships and regional airports without driving. It would also open commuting possibilities for people who work in the Twin Cities but prefer to live in smaller, more affordable cities, like Menomonie, or vice versa. Further investments could be made in first-/last-mile connections (bike lanes, shuttles), and partnerships with UW-Stout to promote student ridership would increase the town’s chances of capturing the best economic and mobility benefits. 

Ecological Benefits

On top of the benefits previously mentioned, there are also a ton of ecological benefits from choosing public transportation. In a report done by the Rail Transportation organization, passenger trains are more efficient than cars in multiple ways: 70% more energy efficient, produce 83% less greenhouse gas emissions, and it takes about 16 lanes of highway to carry as many passengers as it takes just a single two way track. And as Menomonie is along a highway, it would be very beneficial to get as many cars as possible off the roads, as this is a large contributor to polluted lakes and rivers.

This is a possibility of what the train will look like, taken from WQOW.

Challenges and Realities

This is early-stage planning. Scoping and environmental review, track upgrades, negotiations with freight rail owners, and the need for federal and state matching funds all lie ahead. The project has benefited from an initial federal Corridor ID grant, but moving from study to service will require further funding and coordination across agencies and counties — and a multi-year timeline. Community input and local investment commitments will shape whether Menomonie ends up with a full station, platform-only stop, or some phased arrangement. 

Bottom Line

Every day the idea of a passenger rail link between Eau Claire and the Twin Cities is realizing itself more and more. After decades of anticipation, there’s finally real, active planning with federal funding, along with local momentum. For Menomonie, a train stop would bring bountiful opportunities: more visitors, better student mobility, and a downtown economic boost. Success will depend on funding, along with local and federal support. The potential for serious benefits for Menomonie is real.