PASSENGER TRAINS
In the news...
April 27, 2012: Illinois receives federal grant and Twin Cities (Minnesota) invests in 17 economic development projects for passenger trains. Read the story here.
May 4, 2012: A U.S. DOT Study Reports Illinois, Indiana and Michigan to Move Forward on Critical Midwest High Speed Rail Study
Made-in-America Passenger Rail Car Bidding Opens
U.S. Department of Transportation Director Ray LaHood announced on April 20, 2012 the opening of bidding for Made-in-America passenger rail cars. Read the press release here.
Investing in rail makes sense as demand soars:
A balanced national transportation system requires high-speed rail lines that connect the nation's major cities. With gas prices soaring, people are driving less and looking for less stressful alternatives to congested freeways and airports.Click here to read the editorial.
2012 Gearing Up To Be Important Year For Illinois High-Speed Rail Projects:
Ongoing projects in the Chicago-St.Louis corridor would reduce congestion and increase travel speeds to 110 miles per hour. High-speed passenger service along this route should start in 2014. Click here to read the story.
RAIL PLANS: The Iowa DOT is urging Iowans to weigh in on several plans to create a passenger rail line between Omaha and Chicago
Iowa Department of Transportation officials are asking for the public’s input on a proposed passenger rail line from Chicago, through Iowa, to Omaha.
There's an open house online where you can take a look at all of the plans and submit your comments and suggestions. There are five different routes under consideration and each is about 500 miles long. The final route may not be exactly what is proposed by the five options.
Read the full story from WHO TV13 here.
High-speed passenger rail:
The future is now for Chicago to Kalamazoo
All across the country, I meet Americans who understand the importance of investing in essential transportation projects like high-speed passenger rail and are excited by the possibilities and opportunities it offers. Now, Michigan and Indiana residents are the first to see the progress we've made on America's 21st century rail system.
