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Kirk Says He Supports Fast Trains to an Extent
(IRN)-U.S. Senator Mark S. Kirk (R-Ill.) says high-speed rail should be considered a priority, especially for Illinois, but says there must be spending restraints.

Kirk says that he is all for high-speed rail, but says $53 billion in the Obama administration budget being submitted to Congress Monday is too much right now.

"Senator [Dick] Durbin and I both support high-speed rail," he said. "I do think though that the $53 billion number will be cut back by the Congress because we’ve got to have spending restraints." He hopes to make up the difference with a private-public partnership.

High-speed rail will likely come in three different forms. "Emerging" corridors would have the ability to operate trains at up to 90 mph. "Regional" corridors would allow trains to travel at up to 125 mph. "Core Express" corridors would see trains traveling at 250 mph or faster. It’s unlikely that Illinois would see those 250 mph trains, but areas dense in population such as Northeast corridor between Washington and Montreal would benefit from those fast trains.

Work has already begun on upgrading track in Illinois for 110 mph service from St. Louis to Chicago.

(Source: Illinois Radio Network)
02 14 11 by Newsroom
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