WSOR Announces Shovel Ready Infrastructure Projects MILWAUKEE, WI, January 1, 2010 — The Wisconsin & Southern Railroad Co. is Wisconsin’s second largest railroad with over 600 miles of track operated. These 600 plus miles of track are owned cooperatively by the State of Wisconsin and 18 southern Wisconsin counties. 12% of our rail system is 286k compatible (today’s industry standards), with much of the remainder at below standards with restricted speeds of 10mph. Despite the infrastructure challenges we face, WSOR’s business base is growing and traffic forecasts remain aggressive. In order for the WSOR and the State of Wisconsin to remain competitive in today and tomorrow’s rail industry, we must invest in our rail system to achieve 286k standards system-wide. Over the past 90 days, the WSOR has been promoting an “Economic Stimulus” plan to state and federal lawmakers that will aim to create jobs, promote economic development, and invest in publicly-owned infrastructure here in Wisconsin that would make our rail system safer and more responsive to our state and national economy. This plan calls for infusing close to $90 million into Wisconsin’s economy by investing in state-owned railroad infrastructure—a system that today hauls close to 50,000 carloads annually. The WSOR proposes to upgrade 90 miles of track to increase timetable track speeds from 10 mph to at least 25 mph. All improvements would include new wood ties and continuous welded rail, new granite rock ballast, and bridge reconstruction to today’s rail industry standards. The plan is divided into three concurrent phases: The first leg (1) between Madison and Whitewater, WI (45 miles); the second leg (2) between Slinger and Milwaukee, WI (24 miles); and the third leg (3) between Brodhead and Avalon, WI (21 miles). WSOR estimates that workforces and materials could be ready in as little as 30 days and new welded rail could be retained in as little as 90 days. Overall, the plan would require more than 10,000 working weeks, or equivalent to over 100 “direct” jobs, over a 3-year period. Many of these jobs would turn into permanent positions, as the WSOR will need to maintain our infrastructure over the life of the improvements. Additionally, this plans calls for over $54 million in domestic spending, ie; ties, rail, ballast, and other railway infrastructure. And, from the Wisconsin economy alone, the WSOR is calling on the Wisconsin Timber and Aggregate Industries to supply 60,000 ties and 85,000 tons of granite ballast. “I am committed to hosting a ‘job fair’ in South Central Wisconsin to lure the good qualified workforce that Wisconsin has to offer,” stated Bill Gardner, president of Wisconsin & Southern. “This plan will assist local efforts in creating/retaining jobs right here in Wisconsin, through the industries that helped shape Wisconsin,” he added. For more information on WSOR’s “Shovel-Ready Projects,” you may contact Ken Lucht.