The plan all along was for the Western Wisconsin Rail Transit Authority to purchase sections of freight rail tracts as state grants became available, and the time is now.

Governor Jim Doyle on Thursday announced a state grant of $2,098,125 to enable the WWRTA to purchase the railroad line from Norma (on the north side of Chippewa Falls) to Cameron. The state will make the grant under the Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s Freight Railroad Infrastructure Improvement Program (FRIIP) as well as the Freight Railroad Preservation Program (FRPP). Those programs provide 80 percent funding for projects designed to preserve rail service or rehabilitate fixed facilities on publicly owned rail lines.

Chippewa and Barron counties will pick up 20 percent of the cost under agreements previously reached.

The major rail lines, Union Pacific and Canadian National, had little interest in providing quality rail service between Chippewa Falls and Cameron and other points in Barron County, leading the line to fall into disrepair and danger of being abandoned. Industries such as Bloomer Plastics and Jennie-O Turkey depend on the line.

The Norma to Cameron line also connects with the Cameron to Rice Lake and Cameron to Barron rail lines currently owned by the Canadian National Railroad. The state Department of Transportation and WWRTA are also acquiring those lines with grant funds awarded under state programs in 2007.

The WWRTA, was created through the efforts of Chippewa and Barron counties and private businesses to preserve and improve the line. Progressive Rail was hired as a shortline operator and the counties made a commitment to invest in rehabilitation of the rail line as state funds became available.

The total estimated cost for the Norma to Cameron purchase is $2,331,250, including both land and improvements. Under the Wisconsin Freight Rail Preservation Program, the state Department of Transportation will acquire the right-of-way land 100 percent. Barron and Chippewa counties will provide $233,125 for the 20 percent matching funds for the improvements.

“These grants are another positive step towards a more modernized and efficient freight-rail system in Wisconsin,” said State Senator Pat Kreitlow. “After fighting to secure funding through state as well as federal sources for continued investment in these rail projects, specifically the Wisconsin West Rail Transit Authority, I was pleased to hear that this project will move closer towards its goals. Freight rail is essential to supporting Western Wisconsin’s agricultural economy in an efficient way and this grant will help Bloomer and the surrounding communities continue their successful growth.”