Although carrying forward WCGroup’s 2015 Agenda may provide overall scope for 2016, WCGroup’s Steering Committee has opted to promulgate the following action agenda for 2016Q1:
1. Log Cars – WI SB305/AB458, $4.8 Million Earmark, Minimum 20% Match
- Push for public hearing (not later than 2/1/2016), potential adoption mid-March 2016, Subject to confirming minimum stakeholder support, i.e.:
- Key shipper/commercial stakeholders commit (before 12/31/2015) to public support (i.e., attend public hearing, other contacts and PR);
- CN commits (by early Jan., 2016) to public support and contribution of $1.2 million match;
- NRTC commits (by early Jan., 2016) to public support; and Cooperative support (at least tacit, confirmed before 12/31/2015) from Walker Administration and WisDOT.
- Michigan funding – promote parallel legislative effort for $3 million.
- No WCGroup involvement in 2016 TIGER VIII absent WI and/or other state funding.
2. Branch Line Projects – Focus on Central Wisconsin and L'Anse-Baraga Branch Lines
Pending Responses from CN take action on:
- Intermodal/transload project target location; and
- Cooperate to implement CN public relations support for WCGroup projects.
