MADISON, Wis. -- The state of Wisconsin has received another portion of the $810 million in federal stimulus money that will go toward building a high-speed rail line between Madison and Milwaukee.

Gov. Jim Doyle and U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced the $46.5 million in funding on Thursday in Watertown. The state previously received a $5.7 million payment.

The governor said more than 5,500 people will be put to work building the rail line and constructing new stations along the route, including one in Watertown.

The money will be used in part for engineering, design and track work, signals and communications, and drainage. Construction of the rail line is expected to begin later this year. It's expected to be done in 2013.

The next step in building a high-speed rail line from Milwaukee to Madison is to finish designs and environmental assessments for the entire project, and the state Thursday signed agreements to get $46.5 million to do it.

LaHood on Thursday addressed Republican candidates for Wisconsin governor who have said they oppose the project and would stop the work if elected.

"High-speed rail is coming to Wisconsin; there's no stopping it," said LaHood. "Its coming to America, and you all will be connected to America."

Both Republican candidates for governor said they are committed to stopping the project, and some Watertown residents support the effort.

"If you can bring jobs in manufacturing where people go to work five days a week, that would be great. But I don't think the train is going to do that," said Trevor Price.

Watertown Mayor Ron Krueger said a new high-speed rail station would be a boon to the city.

"The facility backs right up to the railroad tracks. It has just a beautiful old ornate railroad bridge crossing the Rock River," said Krueger. "And the whole area is prime for redevelopment."

LaHood said he's committed to bringing rail to areas like Watertown, despite the campaign promises from Republican candidates.

"This program is coming to Wisconsin," said LaHood. "It's a national program, and I know there will be a lot of elections between now and the time it's all implemented. But for the citizens of Wisconsin, this is what the citizens want."

"This is happening," said Doyle. "People can like it or not. I was elected for a four-year term and in this period of time we have had the opportunity to make one of the greatest steps forward in transportation."

The statements even made some skeptics question whether anyone can stop the train.

"It sounds to me like the federal government has a lot of power, and I'm not sure how that will work out," said Price.

The candidates opposing the rail line were quick to fire back. Republican Mark Neumann said in a statement, "While I am not opposed to trains as a system of transportation, I am totally opposed to unfunded liabilities regarding state funds and taxpayer dollars."

Republican Scott Walker said, "As governor, I will stop this train dead in its tracks and advocate for this money to be used for roads and bridges instead."

Doyle and LaHood said many of the agreements, like the one signed Thursday to finish design and environmental work, will have been signed by the time any candidate takes office and they couldn't be reversed.

Earlier this year, state officials announced that Wisconsin would receive $823 million in stimulus funds from the federal government for high-speed rail service, which will connect Madison and Milwaukee with Chicago. Proponents said that the line will connect the state's major cities and "create thousands of jobs."

Wisconsin is expected to receive $810 million to build high-speed passenger rail service between Milwaukee and Madison, $12 million to improve service between Chicago and Milwaukee, and $1 million to make final determinations on a route between Wisconsin and the Twin Cities. That route would eventually connect Chicago, Milwaukee and Madison with the Twin Cities.