Metro Transit bus on the square, cyclist in the foreground
Transportation
Christof Spieler, Director of Transportation

Passenger Rail Station Study

About the Study

The City of Madison's Passenger Rail Station Study identifies the best location for a future Amtrak station in Madison as part of the planned extension of the Hiawatha route.

The study evaluated six corridors, eight potential sites, and recommends two priority station areas.

The Monona Lakefront site is the City's top recommendation.

The station study is in support of a WisDOT-led study for expanded passenger rail service. Amtrak service to Madison would be provided though an Amtrak and WisDOT partnership and would require state and federal funding.

Status: Completed - November 2025

Reports and Information

About Madison and Passenger Rail

Madison is growing, and passenger rail is part of its future. Federal and state plans identify Madison as a key market with strong ridership potential. With Federal Corridor ID funding, WisDOT is studying service expansions—a first step toward implementation. This study outlines recommendations and next steps for advancing a passenger rail station in Madison.

Map of the MMET Corridor

Considerations for a modern station include: 

  • Proximity to key destinations and population centers
  • Seamless connectivity to Madison's multimodal transportation network
  • The ability to provide a building or space with modern, yet simple station amenities such as a waiting area, service information, and restrooms
  • Space to accommodate a platform large enough to serve a 700-foot train

Recommended Site Areas

  • Ortho map of a possible passenger rail station site by the Monona Lakefront

    Plan A: Monona Lakefront

    The Monona Lakefront site—along the rail corridor parallel to John Nolen Drive—is Madison's top recommendation for a future passenger rail station. Its proximity to Capitol Square, Monona Terrace, downtown hotels, and the lakefront places riders directly in the heart of the city, with strong connections to major destinations. 

  • Ortho map of a possible passenger rail station site on Johnson Street

    Plan B: Johnson Street Yard

    The Johnson Street Yard site—along the existing rail corridor near Johnson and First Streets, next to the Madison Public Market—offers a practical alternative if a downtown station proves infeasible. Its main drawback is limited direct connectivity—riders would need to transfer to reach key destinations, reducing convenience and competitiveness with driving.

Next Steps

The City of Madison will continue working closely with WisDOT, Amtrak, and other partners to ensure the City’s priorities are represented throughout the Corridor ID process and that we are prepared to move quickly when funding becomes available. 

Past Public Meetings and Materials

April 30, 2024 - Alder Hosted Neighborhood Info Session Materials:

January/February 2024 - Public Meeting Materials:

December 2022 - Project Kick-off

Learn More

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