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Rail funding goes through Springfield

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By Kurt Allemeier | Monday, February 18, 2008 10:24 PM CST | () comments

Passenger rail service from the Quad-Cities to Chicago runs through Springfield, supporters heard at a public forum led Monday by U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., at MetroLINK East Pointe in East Moline.

Federal matching funding should be available after the U.S. House of Representatives approves the Amtrak reauthorization bill. It is imperative, Durbin said, for the Illinois General Assembly to pass a capital improvements plan to move forward on more than $27 million in infrastructure and other improvements needed to make Quad-Cities to Chicago passenger rail a reality.

“It does come down to Springfield,” the senator said to a standing-room-only group.

Illinois’ bipartisan congressional delegation sent a letter to leaders in Springfield informing them funding is in place for such projects so don’t squander the opportunity, Durbin, a proponent of Amtrak and Illinois passenger rail, said. The reauthorization bill that passed the U.S. Senate included $300 million for capital improvement by states.

State Rep. Pat Verschoore, D-Milan, said there is support on both sides of the aisle of the General Assembly for a capital improvements bill that would include funding for a Quad-Cities to Chicago passenger rail line.

Labor and business leaders and legislators of both parties have spoken in favor of a capital plan for state infrastructure.

“I think we are going to have one,” Verschoore said. “I hope.”

The sticking point for a capital plan could be its funding mechanism. Gov. Rod Blagojevich opposes raising any type of taxes, so Verschoore thinks some type of funding through gaming should be expected.

Durbin warned supporters that state officials should avoid a prolonged fight that could cost part of this year’s construction season, and some of the costs could change if the project sits for a year or two.

Once funding is enacted, a rail line could be running within three years, Amtrak officials who attended the meeting said.

Thom Hart, former president and CEO of Quad-City Development Group who is now with the Iowa Department of Economic Development, attended the meeting. He said Iowa officials are meeting with Amtrak officials today in Chicago. He didn’t expect any significant developments to come from the meeting.

Durbin said he was pleased with the level of support the project has received.

“Last year we held a meeting that showed us that the Quad-Cities are committed to bringing Amtrak back to the area,” Durbin said. “We now have a feasibility study that shows us that adding rail service between the Quad-Cities and Chicago will give businesses and tourists a time-competitive and convenient alternative to driving.”

Supporters learned that 29 million people are expected to ride Illinois passenger rail lines this year, up 3 million from the previous year.

“The traveling public wants more trains,” Ray Lang, of Amtrak, said.

Quad-Cities to Chicago

Trip length: 3 hours, 35 minutes (one-way)

Ticket price: $19 one-way (estimated)

Annual ridership: 110,800 people (estimated)

Estimated revenue: $2.6 million

Illinois operating contract: $5.9 million (estimated)

Rail speed: 79 mph

Kurt Allemeier can be contacted at (563) 383-2360 or kallemeier@qctimes.com.