Happening Now
Illinois Needs Your Input on Next Phase of Chicago - St. Louis Rail Corridor
March 26, 2014
Written By Sean Jeans Gail
The Illinois Department of Transportation is looking for public input on the next phase of the Chicago – St. Louis rail corridor, and the Midwest High Speed Rail Association is organizing local train advocates to ensure that the potential for truly world class high speed operations is protected:
IDOT is currently reconstructing the tracks between Joliet and Granite City to increase cruising speeds from 80 to 110 mph. That work is already paying dividends with much improved service.
Now, they are preparing the Tier II Environmental Impact Statements for the end segments. The Tier II’s will include preliminary design work that will determine how many and what type of trains can operate on those segments. When completed, the projects will be eligible for federal funds.
In this first step, IDOT will define the scope of the projects by preparing Purpose and Need Statements. All future decisions about the projects will be governed by the Purpose and Need Statements. That is why it is so important that you comment now and show your support for as forward-thinking statements as possible.
The deadline for comment is April 1. You can head over to MidwestHSR.org to find out more.
"It is an honor to be recognized by the Rail Passengers Association for my efforts to strengthen and expand America’s passenger rail. Golden spikes were once used by railroads to mark the completion of important rail projects, so I am truly grateful to receive the Golden Spike Award as a way to mark the end of a career that I’ve spent fighting to invest in our country’s rail system. As Chair of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, it has been my priority to bolster funding for Amtrak, increase and expand routes, look to the future by supporting high-speed projects, and improve safety, culminating in $66 billion in new funding in the Bipartisan infrastructure Law."
Representative Peter DeFazio (OR-04)
March 30, 2022, on receiving the Association's Golden Spike Award for his years of dedication and commitment to passenger rail.
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