Canadian Pacific was scheduled to appear before the Wisconsin Claims Board on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2014, arguing for compensation for preparatory higher-speed rail (HrSR) work it performed on its rights-of-way in 2009 and 2010.
The work was in anticipation of developing HrSR service in Wisconsin between Milwaukee and Madison, the state capital, which was scuttled by Wisconsin Gov.–elect Scott Walker in late 2009, even before his taking office in 2010. Wisconsin seeks slightly more than a half-million (U.S.) dollars as compensation.
State officials argue that CP never entered into a written contract with the state, leaving the latter not liable for such costs. CP counters that the railroad performed such work without a contract because it was under political pressure from Wisconsin's Department of Transportation and other forces to do so.
"The highest level of WisDOT, the governor of the state of Wisconsin and the United States Secretary of Transportation insisted with great urgency that CP proceed with the corridor project," CP says in its claim, referring to the Obama Administration's awarding of federal funds for the project prior to the rejection of those funds, and the project, by Gov. Walker.