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High Speed Rail Funding Coming to Illinois
Illinois is getting $1.1 billion in federal stimulus funds for a high-speed rail route between St. Louis and Chicago.

The money will be spent on improving the tracks between Alton and Dwight, improving signals, some station upgrades and refurbishing locomotives and coaches, so that the maximum speed will rise from 79 mph to 110.

Rick Harnish, director of the Midwest High-Speed Rail Association, says the tracks structure will be entirely rebuilt: New rails, new ties and new ballast.

Also, the facility is a single track most of the way between St. Louis and Joliet. Construction work will include lengthening sidings so trains can move while they're passing other trains, instead of having to stop.

Harnish says this work can be done "within a couple of years." An increase in the frequency of service is expected one the work is complete, Harnish says. Amtrak currently operates five daily round-trips between St. Louis and Chicago. The Illinois Department of Transportation wants there to be eight.

This is part of $8 billion being spent on high-speed rail nationwide. This particular project is the first spoke in a high-speed rail network between Chicago and a number of Midwestern cities within 400 miles.

(Illinois Radio Network)
01 28 10 by Newsroom
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