Illinois HrSR corridor work resumes

Written by jrood

Ninety six miles of tracks and a quarter-million railroad ties for future high(er)-speed Amtrak trains will be installed in Central Illinois starting the weekend of April 2-3, leading to the substitution of chartered buses for some Lincoln Service trains for several weeks and the detour of the Texas Eagle between Chicago and St. Louis. The temporary changes will allow Union Pacific Railroad crews to improve infrastructure to allow Amtrak service at speeds up to 110 mph, an increase from the current maximum of 79 mph. The Illinois Department of Transportation anticipates a track segment between Dwight and Pontiac will be ready for faster service next year. The Chicago to St. Louis HrSR corridor is among the first HrSR projects in the country to begin construction, breaking ground north of Alton last September. Last week, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn and railroad partners announced the start of 2011 construction, with $685 million in work this year. Meanwhile, new transportation centers in Joliet and Normal are planned and fully funded through federal, state, local and railroad partnerships, with construction now underway in Normal. At Amtrak Chicago Union Station, work is continuing that will lead to expanded passenger capacity in 2012-13 and federal funding for track improvements has been received at the St. Louis Gateway Station.  

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