Progress Illinois

The fiscal future of Illinois may be in shambles, but state policymakers are at the very least thinking proactively about one key asset: the state's passenger rail infrastructure. In the past few days, a number of developments have significantly improved the region's chances of securing federal high-speed rail money.

The first was the passage of the capital bill on Monday, which earmarks $400 million in state funds to match up to $2 billion the region could receive in federal grants. The bill's $322 million investment in the CREATE freight project is a boon as well. The Wall Street Journal explains that the money will be used to modernize signal technology and build new underpasses and "flyovers" so fast-moving passenger trains can pass by sluggish freight cars, both of which are attractive to passenger rail supporters in Washington:

The Transportation Department, led by former Illinois congressman Ray LaHood, is taking applications for a $1.5 billion stimulus program that will award grants for infrastructure projects of regional and national significance. The Federal Railroad Administration, headed by Joseph Szabo, a former labor leader from Illinois, will dole out more than $8 billion in grants for high-speed rail projects in the years ahead. The Chicago plan ties into both priorities, and it may have a leg up thanks to the financial backing shown by Illinois and the railroads.

Late last month, the Midwest High Speed Rail Association also released a $65,000 feasibility study (PDF) showing that travel times between Chicago and St. Louis could be cut to less than two hours if trains ran at speeds reaching 220 m.p.h. According to the report, the route -- which would also serve Kankakee, Champaign-Urbana, Decatur and Springfield -- "would complement new 110-miles-per-hour lines already proposed for other parts of Illinois and the Midwest." More money is needed to conduct an alternative analysis as well as an environmental study, which is why state officials asked for resources to study the proposal in its preliminary funding application to the Obama administration, filed last Friday.

This comprehensive planning by Midwestern rail advocates, which was largely overlooked until the Obama administration signaled its interest in bulking up America's train infrastructure, has given the region's lawmakers an advantage during negotiations in the nation's Capitol. Stateline's Daniel Vock has more:

“The Midwest has been planning for so long, it’s in a very strong position,” said Laura Kliewer, the director of the Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Commission, which promotes passenger service in the region. She noted that the states already studied how often trains would run, how much time they’d save and how many people would use them.

Later this month, Gov. Pat Quinn is hoping to organize a summit with other Midwestern governors to coordinate their approach to rail investment. We will keep you posted on those details.

Image used under a Creative Commons license by Flickr user cck.