By Bukola Kayode
The Lagos State government led by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Tuesday visited Milwaukee, USA, to finalise the arrangement for the purchase and installation of two trains originally intended for a high-speed rail line to connect Madison and Milwaukee.
Sanwo-Olu was in Milwaukee on Tuesday to inspect the unused trains.
Wisconsin Public Radio reports that the purchase by the Lagos State government was showcased at a public event at the Milwaukee facilities of Spanish train manufacturer Talgo, acting Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson welcomed Gov. Sanwo-Olu.
“It’s a little bittersweet. “I’m sending my congratulations to the governor in Lagos State in Nigeria, but also a little disappointed that we missed out on the opportunity to have those trainsets operating here in Milwaukee and in Wisconsin”, Johnson was quoted as saying.
Wisconsin Public Radio reports that the deal between Lagos State and Talgo is the culmination of “a decade-long saga revolving around high-speed rail”.
In 2009, Wisconsin’s then-Gov. Jim Doyle, a Democrat, announced a deal with Talgo for two new trains to be built in the state and used for a high-speed rail line between Milwaukee and Madison. In the same year, Wisconsin was awarded $810 million for the project in a federal stimulus bill.
Frank Busalacchi was Wisconsin’s Secretary of Transportation at the time.
“I certainly didn’t expect what happened to happen. It was unfortunate, but I think now, as you look and see where the world is going, not just our country, where the world is going, it was the right thing to do”, he was quoted as saying.
The plans died off after Republican Scott Walker became governor. But by 2012, Talgo had built the trains, and sent an invoice to the state for them. Later that year, Talgo terminated the contract and sued the state, kicking off a court dispute that lasted almost three years.
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