If "local opposition" can stop wasteful highway spending, even in Wisconsin, then "local support" can make rail projects happen!
http://usa.streetsblog.org/2014/04/21/wisconsin-responds-to-public-dumps-absurdly-wasteful-highway-project/
http://usa.streetsblog.org/2014/04/21/wisconsin-responds-to-public-dumps-absurdly-wasteful-highway-project/