Record on Transportation

Alderman Bauman Has Been the Leading Advocate for Improved and Expanded Multimodal Transportation in Milwaukee and Southeast Wisconsin

Throughout his career, Alderman Bauman has been an advocate for improved and expanded public transportation and improved land use planning in Milwaukee, southeastern Wisconsin, and nationwide. As one of the foremost transportation experts in SE Wisconsin, he was instrumental in the development of the Milwaukee Streetcar “The Hop” which began service in 2018, and played a major role in the development of the Milwaukee Intermodal Station and Milwaukee County’s East-West Bus Rapid Transit line which began service in 2023. He has been a strong advocate for improved and expanded intercity and commuter rail service in southeastern Wisconsin with a particular focus on Amtrak’s Hiawatha service and the proposed KRM (Kenosha-Racine-Milwaukee) commuter rail service. His advocacy and successes have resulted in numerous distinctions, including serving as a panelist for the C-SPAN production: “Priorities for the Next Transportation Authorization Bill” at the 2014 American Public Transportation Association Transportation Policy Conference. Watch the video here.

For an in depth history of the development of the HOP and previous plans and efforts to development rail transit in Milwaukee you can see Alderman Bauman’s article published in First & Fastest.

In July, 2023 the Common Council adopted a resolution authored by Alderman Bauman directing the Department of Public Works to apply for “Small Start Grants” from the Federal Transit Administration (“FTA”) to extend streetcar service from St. Paul & Vel Phillips Ave to Fiserv Forum via Vel Phillips Avenue and to extend streetcar service from Burns Common to Brady Street via Prospect and Farwell Aves and to seek planning grants from the FTA to enter project development for future streetcar service to Bronzeville and Walkers Point (fie #230359). See map showing route extensions.

In December, 2023 the Common Council adopted a resolution authored by Alderman Bauman expressing Milwaukee’s support for Federal Investment in the Development and Construction of a Kenosha-Racine-Milwaukee Regional Rail Line (file #231075).

Alderman Bauman worked with Milwaukee County and the Milwaukee County Transit System to design, develop and implement the East-West Bus Rapid Transit line known as “Connect One” that links Downtown Milwaukee with the Milwaukee County Regional Medical Center. Alderman Bauman negotiated the Intergovernmental Agreement between the city and Milwaukee County governing the operation of the Connect One BRT line over city streets and right-of-way and sponsored the resolution adopting this agreement which was approved by the Common Council on May 25, 2021 (file # 210101). Alderman Bauman is currently working with the county and MCTS to design and development a second BRT route that would run north-south generally along 27th Street from Bayshore Town Center to Oak Creek.

Alderman Bauman has also been a strong advocate for expanded alternative transportation infrastructure specifically focused on bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure. Alderman was a cosponsor of the city’s Complete Streets Policy adopted by the Common Council on October 16, 2018 (file # 180922); the Pedestrian Plan for the City of Milwaukee adopted by the Common Council on July 30, 2019 (file # 190535); and the City of Milwaukee 2010 Bicycle Plan and Vision for 2020 (file #100558) adopted by the Common Council on September 21, 2010.

Alderman Bauman has supported legislation creating traffic calming and improved bicycle infrastructure such as protected bike lanes at numerous locations in the 4th District and is actively working with city engineering staff on improved bicycle infrastructure on several street projects in the 4th District including East Wells St., Van Buren St., East Kilbourn Ave. and Jefferson St.

In his role as chair of the Public Works Committee, Alderman Bauman has worked with the Department of Public Works to develop the motorized scooter pilot programs and has worked to balance the interests of pedestrians, property owners and scooter users in using the public infrastructure in a safe and efficient manner. Currently, Alderman Bauman is working with DPW to develop a permanent scooter program that considers the diverse and sometimes conflicting interests of pedestrians, property owners and scooter users.

In 2011, Alderman Bauman created the Public Transportation, Utilities and Waterways Review Board which meets regularly to provide in-depth analysis of proposals impacting public transportation in Milwaukee and Southeast Wisconsin; the actions and policies of shareholder owned utilities that impact Milwaukee residents and businesses and issues impacting Milwaukee’s navigable waterways.

Alderman Bauman also serves on regional and national committees of organizations focused on transportation infrastructure, land use and urban planning.

REGIONAL

Member, Southeast Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (SEWRPC) Advisory Committee on Transportation Systems Planning and Programing

Member, SEWRPC Advisory Committee on Regional Land Use Planning

NATIONAL

Member, (former Chair), National League of Cities Transportation and Infrastructure Services Advocacy Committee

AMTRAK ADVOCACY

Alderman Bauman has been a staunch advocate for improved and expanded Amtrak intercity rail service in Milwaukee and Wisconsin.

Below is legislative actions authored by Alderman Bauman relating to Amtrak:

RESOLUTION

File # 201611

Passed 4/13/2021

Substitute resolution expressing the City of Milwaukee’s support for the proposed Twin Cities-Milwaukee-Chicago passenger rail service improvement project.

RESOLUTION - IMMEDIATE ADOPTION

File # 200251

Passed 6/16/2020

Resolution expressing the City of Milwaukee’s support for the 2020 Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvement Grant application of the Wisconsin and Minnesota departments of transportation to expand Amtrak passenger rail service in the Twin Cities-Milwaukee-Chicago corridor.

RESOLUTION - IMMEDIATE ADOPTION

File # 180324

Passed 5/30/2018

Resolution expressing the City of Milwaukee’s opposition to any reduction of Amtrak’s long-distance passenger train services and support for maintaining and expanding those services.

RESOLUTION

File # 071114

Passed 12/11/2007

Resolution expressing the City of Milwaukee’s support for a new strategic approach to transportation investments in Southeastern Wisconsin.

RESOLUTION

File # 070242

Passed 5/30/2007

Substitute resolution expressing the City of Milwaukee's support for extension of the proposed southeastern Wisconsin commuter rail service to include the 30th Street Rail Corridor to the northern boundary of Milwaukee County.

RESOLUTION

File # 050724

Passed 10/18/2005

Substitute resolution approving the terms of a Cooperation and Development Agreement for Tax Incremental District No. 60 (Milwaukee Intermodal Passenger Station Project).

RESOLUTION

File # 050592

Passed 9/27/2005

Substitute resolution approving a Project Plan and creating a Tax Incremental District (Milwaukee Intermodal Passenger Station Project) in the 4th Aldermanic District.

RESOLUTION

File # 050090

Passed 5/20/2005

Substitute resolution expressing the City of Milwaukee's support for U.S. House Bill 1631, the Rail Infrastructure Development and Expansion Act for the 21st Century.

RESOLUTION

File # 050089

Passed 5/20/2005

Substitute resolution expressing the City of Milwaukee's support for U.S. House Bill 1630, the Amtrak Reauthorization Act of 2005.

RESOLUTION

File # 041678

Passed 5/3/2005

Resolution expressing the City of Milwaukee's opposition to the elimination of federal funding for Amtrak.