[Markitect]

Converting the Talgo assembly plant on the North Side into the maintenance base is less expensive (in that they don't have to buy land and/or construct a new building) However, moving the trains there, several miles away from the Intermodal Station, for storing overnight and to do maintenance in between runs during the day would require deadheading moves on tracks used by two different freight railroads (hence the need for track/signaling upgrades taking up the bulk of the money). During its scouting process several months ago, WisDOT rejected this option as a site. Milwaukee Mayor Barrett and Talgo support support this site.

WisDOT prefers the maintenance base be located closer to the Downtown station, where the logistical disadvantages of the North Side site would be lessened. One option they looked at is was a site immediately west of the Intermodal Station...though WisDOT admits is it pretty cramped and lacks room for expansion. It is also hemmed in by adjacent bridges and pylons supporting the Marquette Interchange ramps. A second potential site is a large vacant property about a mile west of the Intermodal Station. Plenty of room to accommodate the maintenance building, and with room to expand should the trains get longer.

In general, Gov. Walker is in favor of the Hiawatha service, and wanted a maintenance base of some kind somewhere to be built to service the new trains. Unfortunately, several other politicians in Madison have not suppoted any site, or the trains, which is why we're in this situation now.