Passenger Rail Corridor Study
The Commission is currently assisting in a study exploring the possibility of establishing passenger rail service in the corridor between Milwaukee, Racine, and Kenosha.
About the Study
The Commission is assisting the City of Racine and partners in the Milwaukee Area-Racine-Kenosha (MARK) Rail Study, which would reintroduce passenger rail service in the Union Pacific corridor between Kenosha and Milwaukee (map of the study corridor). The City of Racine obtained $5 million in Congressionally Directed Spending and is using part of those funds to complete the study. For current study information, visit the MARK Rail website.
Relation to Previous Studies
The Commission previously participated in studies related to establishing a commuter rail line in the Kenosha-Racine-Milwaukee (KRM) corridor, which is recommended in VISION 2050 as part of a larger commuter rail network. More information on those studies can be found in the archived website for the KRM Commuter Link project.
The current MARK Rail effort is building on all the previous, detailed study and analysis to bring passenger rail to this corridor. It differs in important ways to reflect changes since the previous studies were completed, and is exploring different service designs, station locations, organizational structures, and funding mechanisms.
Study Guidance and Input
The MARK Passenger Rail Commission, made up of representatives from the three main cities in the corridor (Milwaukee, Racine, and Kenosha), was formed in November 2025 to guide ongoing work to establish a MARK Rail line. The MARK Commission succeeded a previous advisory Steering Committee, which directed initial work for MARK Rail with assistance from a Technical Working Group of staff from MARK Rail partners with relevant expertise.
The MARK Commission will conduct public and stakeholder engagement to obtain input as the effort works toward a preferred service design. To stay informed, sign up for updates through the MARK Rail website.
Regional Planning Commission Role in the Study
The Regional Planning Commission’s role in the current study is to provide project management support through an intergovernmental agreement with the City of Racine. This has included assistance with study scoping; forming and participating on the project team, Steering Committee, and Technical Working Group; procuring consultants and overseeing and supporting their work; and supporting an anticipated application to enter a federal funding program. Regional Planning Commission staff continue to provide this assistance as the MARK Commission guides ongoing work.