Chicago-Quad Cities-Iowa City HSR receives $230 Million federal grant

The Federal Railroad Administration awarded $230 million in federal funding to expand high-speed passenger rail service between Chicago, the Quad Cities and Iowa City. The Iowa Legislature has already appropriated $3.5 million for the project and must approve an additional $16.5 million for the Iowa portion to proceed, said the Iowa Department of Transportation's rail office. In addition, Iowa lawmakers would need to provide an estimated $3 million annually in government operating subsidies. The 219-mile route between Chicago and Iowa City, using BNSF Railway and Iowa Interstate Railroad tracks, would be completed by 2015, providing twice daily round trip Amtrak service. Initially, trips would take less than five hours at an initial top speed of 79 mph. Supporters hope speeds could eventually hit 100 mph. The rail line is part of the Midwest High-Speed Rail Network that will connect cities around the region and tie together the regional economy. The Iowa line will test green concepts such as biofuels, biolubricants and other eco-friendly initiatives. The grant is one of several that the Federal Railroad Administration will announce this week as it rolls out the second round of competitive funding to develop high-speed rail corridors across the nation.