A new vision for passenger rail is on track in southeastern Wisconsin. The MARK Rail project — short for Milwaukee Area-Racine-Kenosha Passenger Rail — has officially launched, replacing the long-discussed KRM commuter rail proposal with a faster, more focused intercity rail plan connecting Milwaukee, Racine, Kenosha, and Chicago.

The MARK Passenger Rail Commission held its inaugural meeting on December 5, 2025, at Racine City Hall, where members adopted bylaws, elected officers, and approved the next step in seeking federal funding. This marks a fairly significant milestone in a decades-long effort to restore passenger rail to the Lake Michigan shoreline.

“We believe this is a really transformative option for this region,” one project consultant said during the meeting. “It connects R

See Full Page