From the Illinois Department of Transportation
Springfield--The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) is hosting two public meetings to seek input concerning the Environmental Assessment (EA) to implement high-speed rail passenger services from Chicago to St. Louis, including intermediate cities. This project will include infrastructure investments and upgrades, as well as new service, on the existing route operated by Amtrak. IDOT is currently preparing an application to qualify for funding for this project under the Federal Railroad Administration’s passenger rail program included in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).
The Public Meetings will be held:
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
4:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Crowne Plaza Hotel
3000 South Dirksen Parkway
Springfield, IL 62703
The meetings will be an open house format and allow the public the opportunity to watch a PowerPoint presentation, review exhibits and provide comments. Representatives from IDOT will also be available to discuss the EA study and answer questions. Written comments related to the project will be accepted until the close of the comment period ending October 19, 2009.
This meeting will be accessible to persons with disabilities. Anyone needing special assistance should contact Mary Rose Donahue of Images, Inc. at 630-510-3944. Individuals planning to attend who need a sign language interpreter or other similar accommodations should notify the Department’s TTY/TTD number 800-526-0844 or 711; TTY users (Spanish) 800-501-0864 or 711; and for Telebraille dial 877-526-6670 at least five days prior to the meeting.
For additional information, please visit our project website at www.idothsr.org
Showing posts with label high speed rail. Show all posts
Showing posts with label high speed rail. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Illinois Transportation Secretary Gary Hannig Responds To Speaker Madigan Bill Filing
From the Illinois Department of Transportation
“Billions of ARRA stimulus dollars are at stake to develop a successful High Speed Rail program in Illinois. Every lost opportunity to expand service or develop the necessary infrastructure will place further pressure on future federal and state dollars. IDOT has been working diligently toward a compromise with the city of Springfield and Sangamon County including the best mitigation option. We have met with the City and County each day since Friday and are trading proposals even now. Time is running out and the options presented by Springfield for the 10th street corridor do not meet the requirements for submission of a successful high speed rail application. The time has come and we are urging Springfield to support the High Speed Rail initiative,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Gary Hannig.
“Billions of ARRA stimulus dollars are at stake to develop a successful High Speed Rail program in Illinois. Every lost opportunity to expand service or develop the necessary infrastructure will place further pressure on future federal and state dollars. IDOT has been working diligently toward a compromise with the city of Springfield and Sangamon County including the best mitigation option. We have met with the City and County each day since Friday and are trading proposals even now. Time is running out and the options presented by Springfield for the 10th street corridor do not meet the requirements for submission of a successful high speed rail application. The time has come and we are urging Springfield to support the High Speed Rail initiative,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Gary Hannig.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Gov Quinn, Sen Durbin, & Mayor Daley Seek Midwest Gov's Summit on High-Speed Rail
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Illinois Governor
Pat Quinn joined Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley in calling on seven Midwestern Governors to increase their efforts and regional coordination on high speed rail through a regional Rail Summit held in Chicago – the Midwest rail system’s hub – this summer. Today’s announcement followed a meeting between Durbin and Quinn where they also discussed moving forward with Illinois’s bid for the $8 billion available in funding for high speed rail through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Durbin to Discuss Illinois High Speed Rail with Governor Quinn in Washington
From the Office of U.S. Senator Dick Durbin
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) will meet with Illinois Governor Pat Quinn TOMORROW, June 3 at 9:45 AM ET to discuss efforts to bring high speed rail to Illinois. Durbin and Quinn have been working together with other lawmakers to help Illinois compete for the $8 billion available in funding for high speed rail through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Later tomorrow, Quinn will meet with Vice President Joe Biden and a handful of other governors to discuss nationwide high speed rail efforts.
In April, Durbin met with Illinois Governor Pat Quinn, the Chairman of the Amtrak Board of Directors, Tom Carper, and state leaders to discuss Illinois’ commitment to fighting for and winning the federal dollars needed to make high-speed rail in Illinois a reality. They pointed to the Chicago to St. Louis line as the state’s premier route and top priority. Durbin, Quinn and the others also discussed efforts to extend new passenger rail service from Chicago to Rockford and the Quad Cities.
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) will meet with Illinois Governor Pat Quinn TOMORROW, June 3 at 9:45 AM ET to discuss efforts to bring high speed rail to Illinois. Durbin and Quinn have been working together with other lawmakers to help Illinois compete for the $8 billion available in funding for high speed rail through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Later tomorrow, Quinn will meet with Vice President Joe Biden and a handful of other governors to discuss nationwide high speed rail efforts.
In April, Durbin met with Illinois Governor Pat Quinn, the Chairman of the Amtrak Board of Directors, Tom Carper, and state leaders to discuss Illinois’ commitment to fighting for and winning the federal dollars needed to make high-speed rail in Illinois a reality. They pointed to the Chicago to St. Louis line as the state’s premier route and top priority. Durbin, Quinn and the others also discussed efforts to extend new passenger rail service from Chicago to Rockford and the Quad Cities.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Governor Quinn Calls on Illinois General Assembly to Move High-Speed Rail Forward
From the Office of Governor Pat Quinn
SPRINGFIELD – May 22, 2009. Governor Pat Quinn joined state legislators and transportation officials today to seek support from the Illinois General Assembly to match President Barack Obama’s historic commitment to high-speed passenger rail and make it a reality in Illinois.
“I’m asking the legislature to follow President Obama’s lead and invest in the growth and efficiency for transportation in Illinois by appropriating funds in the capital bill needed to make high-speed rail a reality,” said Governor Quinn.
The St. Louis-Chicago route is the signature high-speed rail route for Illinois. A state investment for high-speed rail will allow for reduced travel times and more round-trips scheduled each day.
“We will take full advantage of the federal resources President Obama’s leadership has made possible, but more must be done,” said Illinois Department of Transportation Secretary Gary Hannig. “We hope to receive the support of the legislature to move this plan forward and get travelers to their destinations safely and faster than driving.”
Under The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), President Obama has made $8 billion available nationwide for high-speed passenger rail, the largest investment that the federal government has made in over a decade. In addition, President Obama has allocated $5 billion over the next five years toward a high-speed rail grant program.
To fully leverage the federal money, Illinois needs approximately $400 million in additional state funding for high-speed rail from the capital bill. A total investment of $2.7 billion for the St. Louis-Chicago corridor could create and retain approximately 24,000 jobs.
Earlier this month, representatives from the Quinn administration alongside U.S. Senator Dick Durbin announced an agreement between the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and Union Pacific Railroad to develop the plan for high-speed passenger rail between Chicago and St. Louis. The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is the first of its kind in the country. Under the MOU, Union Pacific and IDOT will develop a rail infrastructure and safety plan to outline how passenger trains will operate safely at 110 mph and UP’s freight trains will operate safely and efficiently.
SPRINGFIELD – May 22, 2009. Governor Pat Quinn joined state legislators and transportation officials today to seek support from the Illinois General Assembly to match President Barack Obama’s historic commitment to high-speed passenger rail and make it a reality in Illinois.
“I’m asking the legislature to follow President Obama’s lead and invest in the growth and efficiency for transportation in Illinois by appropriating funds in the capital bill needed to make high-speed rail a reality,” said Governor Quinn.
The St. Louis-Chicago route is the signature high-speed rail route for Illinois. A state investment for high-speed rail will allow for reduced travel times and more round-trips scheduled each day.
“We will take full advantage of the federal resources President Obama’s leadership has made possible, but more must be done,” said Illinois Department of Transportation Secretary Gary Hannig. “We hope to receive the support of the legislature to move this plan forward and get travelers to their destinations safely and faster than driving.”
Under The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), President Obama has made $8 billion available nationwide for high-speed passenger rail, the largest investment that the federal government has made in over a decade. In addition, President Obama has allocated $5 billion over the next five years toward a high-speed rail grant program.
To fully leverage the federal money, Illinois needs approximately $400 million in additional state funding for high-speed rail from the capital bill. A total investment of $2.7 billion for the St. Louis-Chicago corridor could create and retain approximately 24,000 jobs.
Earlier this month, representatives from the Quinn administration alongside U.S. Senator Dick Durbin announced an agreement between the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and Union Pacific Railroad to develop the plan for high-speed passenger rail between Chicago and St. Louis. The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is the first of its kind in the country. Under the MOU, Union Pacific and IDOT will develop a rail infrastructure and safety plan to outline how passenger trains will operate safely at 110 mph and UP’s freight trains will operate safely and efficiently.
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