Plans to rehabilitate a 50-mile stretch of railroad in Western Wisconsin are moving forward.

But whether the portions of Union Pacific- and Canadian National- owned rail lines will get a makeover hinges on the decision of one county's board of supervisors.

Leaders from the Chippewa County Economic Development Corporation, the Wisconsin West Rail Transit Authority and the DOT held a freight rail summit today to tell community members about the plans and persuade Chippewa County leaders to accept state grant money.

A nearly $13 million dollar state grant for this project is secured.

The money would go towards buying portions of railroad from Chippewa Falls to Cameron, and from Cameron to Barron and Rice Lake.

Under the terms of the grant, Barron and Chippewa counties are required to match 20 percent of the state money.

That would leave Barron County with a $1.8 million dollar bill and Chippewa County with a $1.4 million dollar cost.

Work can't begin unless both counties accept the grant money.

The Barron County Board of Supervisors voted Monday to accept the money, leaving it now up to Chippewa County.

"Economic development goes along transportation corridors," said Charlie Walker, of the Chippewa County Economic Development Corporation. "It's not as competitive as it could be. Right now, we're limited to 10 miles per hour, that doesn't help traveling time."

If the tracks are fixed up through this project, trains could travel up to 25 miles per hour on the rails.

Walker says it's an idea that has already attracted the interest of some companies.

Leaders would have to apply for another state grant to upgrade the tracks once the land is purchased.

"My main concern was that if we support this $1.4 million, that it's self-sustaining after that infusion," said Chippewa County Board Supervisor Paul Michels.

Michels tells us he plans to support the grant vote.

But we talked to another county board member who says he's hesitant.

He says he worries that taxpayers could end up footing the bill for this.

The Chippewa County Board of Supervisors is scheduled to vote whether to accept the money on Feb. 13.