City of Milwaukee sues Public Service Commission in utility cost debate over downtown streetcar

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- The city of Milwaukee has sued the Wisconsin Public Service Commission in the utility cost debate over Milwaukee's proposed downtown streetcar.

The case was filed in Milwaukee County Circuit Court on Monday, November 17th.

The Milwaukee Business Journal reports the suit seeks to reverse a ruling by the Public Service Commission mandating the city pay to move underground utility lines for the proposed 2.1-mile streetcar system. They city argues the utilities should pay to move their pipes and cords -- arguing that the Public Service Commission doesn't have the authority to override the city's prior approval of the streetcar project, nor to require the city to pay to move utilities' underground lines.

The end result of the debate will determine whether Milwaukee officials must approve millions more to make the downtown streetcar a reality. The lawsuit estimates the cost of moving utilities to be between $10 million and $25 million, according to the Milwaukee Business Journal.

The Business Journal reports the streetcar project's budget is $64.6 million.

CLICK HERE for more on this story via the Milwaukee Business Journal.