Chicago‐Milwaukee

Amtrak Hiawatha Service

Draft Environmental Assessment

Appendix C

Wisconsin SHPO Concurrence Letter



47MI207 (The Runners Village) location as currently mapped in 

Google Earth accessed on 05/06/2015 

2014 aerial photograph
W

47MI207 (The Runner's Village) 

W Virginia St 

W Florida St 

Pittsburgh Ave 

2nd St 

6th St 

1st St/STH 32 

N Plankton Ave 

I94/I43 

Menomonee River 

Milwaukee River 

W 

as currently mapped in WHPD 

4th St 

3rd St 

DISCLAIMER: This map is a user generated static output from the Milwaukee County Land Informati

Office Interactive Mapping Service website.The contents herein are for reference purposes only a

may or may not be accurate, current or otherwise reliable. No liability is assumed for the da

delineated herein either expressed or implied by Milwaukee County or its employee

© MCAMLIS 1,333 

THIS MAP IS NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION 

NAD_1927_StatePlane_Wisconsin_South_FIPS_4803 

0 667 1,333 Feet 

http://lio.milwaukeecounty.org/mcamlis/ accessed on 05-06-2015 
 

DATE: May 26, 2015 

TO: Kelly Hamilton - WHS 

FROM: Timothy F. Heggland -WHS 

SUBJECT: WisDOT 0385-57-01 Chicago-Milwaukee: Historic/Cultural Resources 

(Cut-off CTC Installation; Muskego Yard Signalization; MARS Second 

Platform) 

Dear Kelly: 

As requested, I visited the three railroad corridor project areas in Milwaukee that are listed above 

on May 19, 2015, in order to ascertain whether or not the proposed scope of work program for 

each of these areas has any potential to effect the several NRHP-listed historic districts and/or 

other potentially eligible historic resources that are either located within or immediately adjacent 

to these three areas. My conclusion is that none of these three replacement-in-kind projects will 

have an effect on these historic resources and the following discussions are intended to document 

this conclusion. 

Cut-off CTC Installation Project: 

The west limit of this project is the Cut Off point, which is the intersection of the east-west 

running railroad tracks and S. 35th Street, and the east limit is the east end of the Milwaukee 

Intermodal Station. 

The purpose of the Milwaukee Intermodal Station to Cut Off project is to increase 

running speeds in the segment to timetable speeds for freight and passenger traffic and to 

improve operations within the Milwaukee Intermodal Station. Two main tracks operate 

between Milwaukee Station and Cut Off. Four depot tracks serve the Milwaukee Station. 

According to Canadian Pacific (CP) timetables, freight and passenger mainline speeds in 

the segment are 30 MPH and 40 MPH, respectively. Speeds through the interlockings 

and on the Depot tracks are 10 MPH and 15 MPH for freight and passenger rail, 

respectively. However, CP reported that trains operate at a maximum of 15 MPH 

throughout the segment due to signal limitations and geometry restrictions. 

Additionally, dwarf signals are employed throughout the Station due to slow train speeds 

and possible sightline obstructions. The dwarf signals only provide stop or restricting 

aspects. Signals at Cut Off; MP 86.1; the entrances to the Station; and Plankington 

Avenue provide approach indications at their least restrictive aspect. This means that 
trains approaching these signals either must stop or, in the best scenarios, stop at the next 

signal. This prohibits trains from traveling more than15 MPH throughout this segment. 

The timetable states that the manual interlockings at Milwaukee are controlled by the CP 

Chicago & Milwaukee (C&M) train dispatcher. Trains must not occupy a main track 

without a proper signal indication or verbal authority from the C&M train dispatcher. 

Currently, when a train enters the manual interlocking, the CP dispatcher has to manually 

release the signal and set it to the most restrictive signal indication. In the best scenario, 

the signal would automatically change to the most restrictive signal, but in this case, the 

CP dispatcher must do it. This activity is very inefficient and can take a lot of time if 

there are several operations occurring at the same time in the Station. 

The implementation of [Centralized Track Control] CTC between Milwaukee Station and 

Cut Off is expected to increase train speeds in the segment for freight and passenger 

trains. West bound freight trains traveling from Plankington Avenue through the Station 

will still travel at reduced speeds until the end of the train leaves the 10 MPH territory 

around the curve just east of the Station. It is anticipated that East bound trains traveling 

from the Cut Off will be able to attain higher speeds because of the upgraded signal 

aspects. It is unknown whether trains will actually reach timetable speeds. 

Proposed improvements include replacing old signals, crossovers, turnout, bungalows, 

and warning devices for grade crossings; constructing a radio repeater tower to bolster 

communications with St. Paul [MN]; installing GPS coordination at certain infrastructure 

elements; and upgrading the wiring between signals and bungalows.1 All work will be 

contained within the right-of-way.2 

The existing double railroad tracks in the west end of this segment pass adjacent to and just to 

the north of the historic Grant Marble Co. works building (AHI# 78309), which has been 

evaluated in the AHI as being potentially eligible for NRHP listing.3 Located between the 

railroad tracks and this building, however, is the crushed stone-covered railroad track bed itself 

and also a blacktopped employee parking lot, both of which extend along the full length of the 

north-facing elevation of this building (See photos 1-5). Consequently, there is ample room to 

accommodate any improvements that will be made as a result of this project without affecting 

the Marble Co. building. 

1 A bungalow, in this usage, refers to the housing for signals & communications computers that 

control switches, crossings, and other such controls, relaying information to and from the RTC 

(rail traffic control).

2 Project Description Document. Quandel Consultants, LLC. May, 8, 2015. 

3 Shortly after the field survey for this project was completed, the surveyor noted that the 

comments about the Grant Marble Co. works (today’s D. R. Diedrich & Co. Tannery) in the AHI 

were greatly at odds with its evaluation as being potential eligibility for NRHP listing. The DHP 

has since revised this evaluation and it is now listed in the AHI as being “Not Eligible.” 
In addition, the west end of the existing railroad tracks in this segment also pass just to the north 

of and adjacent to the land that is associated with the historic Milwaukee Gas Light Co.’s West 

Side Plant (AHI# 16452). This architect-designed complex is currently unevaluated but I 

believe that it is potentially eligible for NRHP listing. However, this complex is set back some 

distance from the railroad tracks and its associated right-of-way (See photos 6-9) and it is 

believed that there is ample room to accommodate any improvements that will be made as a 

result of this project without affecting the Gas Light Co. Complex or its setting. 

Muskego Yard Signalization: 

This project contains both a north-south segment and an east-west segment. What is being 

discussed in this document represents only those portions of this project that run through or lie 

adjacent to NRHP-listed historic districts and/or other potentially eligible historic resources. 

The Muskego Yard signalization project was identified by Canadian Pacific as an 

improvement that will provide operational flexibility for Canadian Pacific trains. 

Canadian Pacific currently travels through the Milwaukee Intermodal Station when 

connecting from the Watertown Subdivision to the Chicago & Milwaukee (C&M) 

Subdivision. By providing two signalized yard tracks, Canadian Pacific will be able to 

divert some freight through Muskego Yard instead of through the station. In addition, 

Canadian Pacific freight trains can be held in Muskego Yard rather than on the C&M 

mainline if necessary. 

One signalized track will be provided to the east end of Muskego Yard and two 

signalized tracks will be provided through the yard. Two existing yard tracks will be 

converted to mainline yard tracks. The existing single track connections to the C&M 

Subdivision and Cut Off will be maintained. 

Work to implement the project includes refurbishment of the east end connecting track to 

the yard and two through tracks within the yard as well as 1/3 tie replacement. Turnout 

and crossover installation; signal installation; and interlocking establishment is also 

included. All work will be constructed within existing rights-of-way.4 

North-South Segment 

For the purposes of this discussion, the north end of the north-south segment of this project 

begins at the east end of the Milwaukee Intermodal Station and it continues south as far as West 

Virginia Street. The curving double tracks of this segment exit the east end of the Milwaukee 

Intermodal Station and continue south across the Menomonee River. As they do so they pass 

close by the NRHP-listed John Pritzlaff Hardware Company building (AHI# 16132) but are 

separated from it by the crushed stone aggregate-covered railroad track bed itself and also by a 

4 Project Description Document. Quandel Consultants, LLC. April 15, 2015. 
 

gravel-surfaced parking lot, both of which extend along the full width of the south-facing 

elevation of this building (See photos 11-12). Once these tracks cross the Menomonee River 

they run south along the east-facing elevations of the buildings that comprise 100, 126, and 160 

S. 2nd Street; 131 W. Seeboth St.; and 117 W. Pittsburg Ave., and along the west-facing 

elevations of 115 W. Seeboth St. and 145, 149-53, 157-59, 161-63, and 165-69 S. 1st Street, all 

of these, except for 145 S. 1st St., being contributing buildings that are located within the 

boundaries of the NRHP-listed South 1st and 2nd Street Historic District. These double tracks run 

along the rear elevations of most of these buildings. A narrow strip of land of varying width that 

belongs to these buildings is located between the buildings themselves and the adjacent, raised 

railroad track bed, and this track bed is covered in crushed stone ballast (See photos 13-24). 

Although this railroad corridor is narrow in places, any work that will take place within it as a 

result of this project will occur within the historic railroad right-of-way’s boundaries and the 

kinds of work that will be undertaken will not affect the historic resources that lie adjacent to this 

corridor. 

As the double tracks continue further south and leaves the South 1st and 2nd Street Historic 

District they run alongside the NRHP-listed Lindsay-Bostrom Building (AHI# 113458), which 

fronts on W. Oregon St. At this point, however, the track bed is elevated a full story above W. 

Oregon St., which it crosses immediately adjacent to the Lindsay-Bostrom Building (see photos 

22 and 24). No work is planned at this location and this building will be unaffected by any work 

associated with this project. 

Just a block further south, the tracks also run alongside the southwest boundary of the NRHPlisted East Oregon and South Barclay Industrial Historic District as well. One of this district’s 

contributing buildings, known in the AHI as Building No. 35, is located immediately adjacent to 

the railroad tracks (AHI# 118494), but it is located a full-story lower than the track bed and is 

positioned next to the viaduct that carries the railroad tracks across E. Florida St. (See photos 25 

& 26). This building will also be unaffected by any work associated with this project. 

East-West Segment 

For the purposes of this discussion, the east end of the railroad tracks associated with the eastwest segment of this project begin at the point where these railroad tracks join with the northsouth tracks just described, this location being at the point where the tracks cross S. 1st Street, 

and these tracks continue west as far as the IH-94 overpass. 

Beginning at the easternmost point of this segment, what is currently a single track curves to the 

west from its point of junction with the north-south double tracks and it continues west from this 

point. As it does so the track first passes directly behind the NRHP-listed Lindsay-Bostrom 

Building mentioned above, but here too this track is separated from this building by a narrow 

strip of land belonging to the building itself and by the raised, crushed stone-covered track bed 

that is associated with the railroad track. While, this track bed now carries just a single pair of 

tracks it originally carried another set of tracks that ran parallel to it located closer to the 

Lindsay-Bostrom Building. This second pair of tracks was discontinued some years ago and 
removed and the current project intends to rebuild this track in its original location within the 

historic railroad right-of-way. Even so, the replacement in kind of this track should have no 

effect on the adjacent listed building. 

As this track continues on its way westward it becomes a double track and they next pass 

through the NRHP-listed Florida and Third Industrial Historic District. In the process the tracks 

run along the north-facing elevations of 234 W. Florida Street, 331 S. 3rd Street, and 326, 332, 

408, and 500 W. Florida Street, all but 234 W. Florida Street being contributing buildings within 

this District.5 These double tracks run along the rear elevations of most of these buildings and a 

strip of land of varying width that belongs to these buildings is located between the buildings 

themselves and the adjacent railroad track bed, which is covered in crushed stone ballast (See 

photos 27-36). Although the strip of land belonging to these buildings is narrow in places, any 

work that will take place as a result of this project will occur within the historic railroad right-ofway’s boundaries and the kinds of work that will be undertaken will not affect the historic 

resources that lie adjacent to this corridor. 

As these tracks continue on their way westward they next pass through the NRHP-listed 

Walker’s Point Historic District. In the process the tracks run along the rear north-facing 

elevations of 700, 748, and 754 W. Virginia Street, and the south-facing elevations of 624, 706, 

710, 720, and 730 W. Oregon Street. Here too, a strip of land of varying width that belongs to 

the buildings on both sides of the right-of-way is located between the buildings themselves and 

the adjacent railroad track bed, which is covered in crushed stone ballast (See photos 38-42), and 

most of this land is hard surfaced and is used for automobile parking. Any work that will take 

place within the adjacent track bed as a result of this project will occur within the historic 

railroad right-of-way’s boundaries and the kinds of work that will be undertaken here will also 

not affect the historic resources that lie adjacent to this corridor. 

As the tracks continue westward they next cross a metal truss swing bridge, this being the 

Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad Bridge (aka: Burnham Canal BridgeMilwaukee Road Bridge B-4), which has been evaluated as being potentially eligible for NRHPlisting (AHI# 106686). No work is planned at this location and this bridge will be unaffected by 

any work associated with this project (See photo 37). 

Milwaukee Airport Rail Station (MARS) Second Platform: 

The MARS Second Platform project proposes to install a second platform on the west side of the 

Canadian Pacific (CP) tracks and a pedestrian bridge to cross from the east side platform to the 

west side at the existing Milwaukee Airport Rail Station in Milwaukee, WI. 

5 Originally there were two other buildings located in the district on the north side of and 

immediately adjacent to the railroad tracks, 233 W. Oregon Street and 305 S. Third Street, but 

these buildings have both now been demolished. 
No previously surveyed or listed historic resources were found within or adjacent to this project 

area. As a result, this area was not field surveyed and no photographs were taken. 

Summary: 

The first two of these three projects are located within historic railroad corridors and rail yards 

that were actually put in place before most of the individually eligible and listed buildings and 

bridges, and listed historic districts that they cross or adjoin were built. The various railroads 

that have owned these tracks have continuously maintained and upgraded them and the proposed 

projects are the latest examples of the ongoing maintenance that resources such as these require. 

The information provided by Quandel Consultants regarding these project areas indicates that no 

work is being proposed that would occur outside the historic railroad right-of-ways and inside 

the boundaries of any of the listed or potentially eligible resources enumerated above. 

Consequently, it is believed that a finding of no effect for these projects is justified; in-so-far-as 

historic resources are concerned. 

Sincerely, 

Timothy F. Heggland 

Staff Architectural Historian 

Museum Archaeology Program 
MAP CODE 1 MAP May 19, 2015 

WisDOT project ID: 0385-57-01 Chicago-Milwaukee Intercity, Milwaukee Station to Cut-Off CTC Installation 

Milwaukee County 
MAP CODE 2 MAP May 19, 2015 

WisDOT project ID: 0385-57-01 Chicago-Milwaukee Intercity, Milwaukee Station to Cut-Off CTC Installation 

Milwaukee County 
MAP CODE 3 MAP May 19, 2015 

WisDOT project ID: 0385-57-01 Chicago-Milwaukee Intercity, Milwaukee Station to Cut-Off CTC Installation 

Milwaukee County 
MAP CODE 4 MAP May 19, 2015 

WisDOT project ID: 0385-57-01 Chicago-Milwaukee Intercity, Milwaukee Station to Cut-Off CTC Installation 

Milwaukee County 
MAP CODE 5 MAP May 19, 2015 

WisDOT project ID: 0385-57-01 Chicago-Milwaukee Intercity, Milwaukee Station to Cut-Off CTC Installation 

Milwaukee County 
MAP CODE 6 MAP May 19, 2015 

WisDOT project ID: 0385-57-01 Chicago-Milwaukee Intercity, Milwaukee Station to Cut-Off CTC Installation 

Milwaukee County 
MAP CODE 7 MAP May 19, 2015 

WisDOT project ID: 0385-57-01 Chicago-Milwaukee Intercity, Milwaukee Station to Cut-Off CTC Installation 

Milwaukee County 
MAP CODE 8 MAP May 19, 2015 

WisDOT project ID: 0385-57-01 Chicago-Milwaukee Intercity, Milwaukee Station to Cut-Off CTC Installation 

Milwaukee County 
MAP CODE 9 MAP May 19, 2015 

WisDOT project ID: 0385-57-01 Chicago-Milwaukee Intercity, Milwaukee Station to Cut-Off CTC Installation 

Milwaukee County 
MAP CODE 10 MAP May 19, 2015 

WisDOT project ID: 0385-57-01 Chicago-Milwaukee Intercity, Milwaukee Station to Cut-Off CTC Installation 

Milwaukee County 
MAP CODE 11 MAP May 19, 2015 

WisDOT project ID: 0385-57-01 Chicago-Milwaukee Intercity, Muskego Yard Signalization Milwaukee County 
MAP CODE 12 MAP May 19, 2015 

WisDOT project ID: 0385-57-01 Chicago-Milwaukee Intercity, Muskego Yard Signalization Milwaukee County 
MAP CODE 13 MAP May 19, 2015 

WisDOT project ID: 0385-57-01 Chicago-Milwaukee Intercity, Muskego Yard Signalization Milwaukee County 
MAP CODE 14 MAP May 19, 2015 

WisDOT project ID: 0385-57-01 Chicago-Milwaukee Intercity, Muskego Yard Signalization Milwaukee County 
MAP CODE 15 MAP May 19, 2015 

WisDOT project ID: 0385-57-01 Chicago-Milwaukee Intercity, Muskego Yard Signalization Milwaukee County 
MAP CODE 16 MAP May 19, 2015 

WisDOT project ID: 0385-57-01 Chicago-Milwaukee Intercity, Muskego Yard Signalization Milwaukee County 
MAP CODE 17 MAP May 19, 2015 

WisDOT project ID: 0385-57-01 Chicago-Milwaukee Intercity, Muskego Yard Signalization Milwaukee County 
MAP CODE 18 MAP May 19, 2015 

WisDOT project ID: 0385-57-01 Chicago-Milwaukee Intercity, Muskego Yard Signalization Milwaukee County 
MAP CODE 19 MAP May 19, 2015 

WisDOT project ID: 0385-57-01 Chicago-Milwaukee Intercity, Muskego Yard Signalization Milwaukee County 
MAP CODE 20 MAP May 19, 2015 

WisDOT project ID: 0385-57-01 Chicago-Milwaukee Intercity, Muskego Yard Signalization Milwaukee County 
MAP CODE 21 MAP May 19, 2015 

WisDOT project ID: 0385-57-01 Chicago-Milwaukee Intercity, Muskego Yard Signalization Milwaukee County 
MAP CODE 22 MAP May 19, 2015 

WisDOT project ID: 0385-57-01 Chicago-Milwaukee Intercity, Muskego Yard Signalization Milwaukee County 
MAP CODE 23 MAP May 19, 2015 

WisDOT project ID: 0385-57-01 Chicago-Milwaukee Intercity, Muskego Yard Signalization Milwaukee County 
MAP CODE 24 MAP May 19, 2015 

WisDOT project ID: 0385-57-01 Chicago-Milwaukee Intercity, Muskego Yard Signalization Milwaukee County 
MAP CODE 25 MAP May 19, 2015 

WisDOT project ID: 0385-57-01 Chicago-Milwaukee Intercity, Muskego Yard Signalization Milwaukee County 
MAP CODE 26 MAP May 19, 2015 

WisDOT project ID: 0385-57-01 Chicago-Milwaukee Intercity, Muskego Yard Signalization Milwaukee County 
MAP CODE 27 MAP May 19, 2015 

WisDOT project ID: 0385-57-01 Chicago-Milwaukee Intercity, Muskego Yard Signalization Milwaukee County 
MAP CODE 28 MAP May 19, 2015 

WisDOT project ID: 0385-57-01 

Chicago-Milwaukee Intercity, Muskego Yard Signalization 

Milwaukee County 
MAP CODE 29 MAP May 19, 2015 

WisDOT project ID: 0385-57-01 

Chicago-Milwaukee Intercity, Muskego Yard Signalization 

Milwaukee County 
MAP CODE 30 MAP May 19, 2015 

WisDOT project ID: 0385-57-01 

Chicago-Milwaukee Intercity, Muskego Yard Signalization 

Milwaukee County 
MAP CODE 31 MAP May 19, 2015 

WisDOT project ID: 0385-57-01 Chicago-Milwaukee Intercity, Muskego Yard Signalization Milwaukee County 
MAP CODE 32 MAP May 19, 2015 

WisDOT project ID: 0385-57-01 Chicago-Milwaukee Intercity, Muskego Yard Signalization Milwaukee County 
MAP CODE 33 MAP May 19, 2015 

WisDOT project ID: 0385-57-01 Chicago-Milwaukee Intercity, Muskego Yard Signalization Milwaukee County 
MAP CODE 34 MAP May 19, 2015 

WisDOT project ID: 0385-57-01 

Chicago-Milwaukee Intercity, Muskego Yard Signalization 

Milwaukee County 
MAP CODE 35 MAP May 19, 2015 

WisDOT project ID: 0385-57-01 Chicago-Milwaukee Intercity, Muskego Yard Signalization Milwaukee County 
MAP CODE 36 MAP May 19, 2015 

WisDOT project ID: 0385-57-01 Chicago-Milwaukee Intercity, Muskego Yard Signalization Milwaukee County 
MAP CODE 37 MAP May 19, 2015 

WisDOT project ID: 0385-57-01 Chicago-Milwaukee Intercity, Muskego Yard Signalization Milwaukee County 
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WisDOT project ID: 0385-57-01 Chicago-Milwaukee Intercity, Muskego Yard Signalization Milwaukee County 
MAP CODE 39 MAP May 19, 2015 

WisDOT project ID: 0385-57-01 

Chicago-Milwaukee Intercity, Muskego Yard Signalization 

Milwaukee County 
MAP CODE 40 MAP May 19, 2015 

WisDOT project ID: 0385-57-01 

Chicago-Milwaukee Intercity, Muskego Yard Signalization 

Milwaukee County 
MAP CODE 41 MAP May 19, 2015 

WisDOT project ID: 0385-57-01 Chicago-Milwaukee Intercity, Muskego Yard Signalization Milwaukee County 
MAP CODE 42 MAP May 19, 2015 

WisDOT project ID: 0385-57-01 Chicago-Milwaukee Intercity, Muskego Yard Signalization Milwaukee County 



Walker's Point Historic District, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, WI
 
Menomonee River 

1 

2 

3 

4 5 

= MAP CODE # # 

W.Greves St. 

AHI #78309 

IH-94 
Menomonee River 

= MAP CODE # # 

6 

Menomonee River 

7 8 

W.Greves St. 

9 

W. Mt. Vernon Ave. 

AHI #16452 

IH-94 

W. St. Paul Ave. 
Menomonee River

= MAP CODE # #

IH-94
Menomonee River

Menomonee River

= MAP CODE # # 

14 

15

13

12

11 

10 

Menomonee River 

Milwaukee River 

IH-94/ IH-794 

N. 6th Street 

W. St. Paul Ave. 

N. Plankinton Ave. 

South 1st & 2nd Street

Historic District 
Menomonee River 

# = MAP CODE # 

16 

17 

18 

15 

14 13 

12 

11 

Milwaukee River 

19 

20 

21 

22 

24 

23 E. Pittsburgh Ave. 

W. Seeboth St. E. Seeboth St. S. 2nd St. 

W. Oregon St E. Oregon St 

N. Plankinton Ave. 

South 1st & 2nd Street 

Historic District 
S. Jake Marchese Way 

South 1st & 2nd Street

17 Historic District 

23 21

20 

Florida & Third Industrial

Historic District 22

24 

W. 

30

31

27 33 34 29 36 35 32 28 

AHI #113458 

W. Florida St

25 26 

E. Florida St. 

S. 3rd St. 

East Oregon

& South Barclay Industrial

Historic District

West Virginia St. # = MAP CODE #

S. 4th St. 
Menomonee River

Menomonee River 

Menomonee River 

West Virginia St. IH-94 

W. Bruce St. 

Walker’s Point

Historic District 

# = MAP CODE #

27

28 

42 40 39 41 38 37 

AHI #106686