Wis. reimbursed for high-speed rail plan - WKOW 27: Madison, WI Breaking News, Weather and Sports

MADISON (WKOW) -- Wisconsin has been reimbursed for the money it spent on a high speed rail plan.

The federal government reimbursed the $9 million the state spent under former Governor Jim Doyle as part of a federal rail grant to link Milwaukee and Madison by high-speed rail. The state was also on the hook for more than $5 million in cancellation fees and other commitments.

The rail plan was terminated by Gov. Scott Walker and the Republican Legislature because they thought the state should not be responsible for its operating costs. Walker said transportation officials promised to reimburse the state for the money already spent.

Meanwhile, Minnesota officials are trying to keep high-speed rail hopes alive. The Journal Sentinel says a study calls for upgrading the Empire Builder route between Chicago and the Twin Cities. The Empire Builder has stops in Milwaukee and other Wisconsin communities.