WASHINGTON D.C., DC — Plans to build a passenger rail between the Quad Cities and Chicago received a big boost today.
On Thursday, Senators Tammy Duckworth and Dick Durbin announced $500,000 in grant funding would be awarded to 12 Illinois rail corridors, each one receiving the half-a-million dollars. It's part of the U.S. Department of Transportation's efforts to expand and improve commuter and passenger rail service. The grants were made possible through the new Corridor Identification and Development (CID) Program, which was established under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
The Chicago to Quad Cities Service Extension Program is one of the rail corridors receiving the grant. The following corridors also received funding:
- Peoria to Chicago Passenger Rail Service
- Chicago to Carbondale Corridor
- Chicago to St. Louis Corridor
- Hannibal Extension of Existing Chicago-Quincy Corridor
- North Coast Hiawatha
- Chicago to Grand Rapids Corridor
- Wolverine Corridor
- Daily Cardinal Service
- Milwaukee to Chicago Hiawatha Service Expansion
- Indianapolis to Chicago Corridor
- Chicago to Port Huron Corridor
“Rail corridors serve as vital lifelines, weaving through the very heart of our state and connecting our residents with unparalleled convenience,” Durbin said. “This funding will put us on a path toward a better-connected Illinois, fostering economic growth, enhancing accessibility, and ensuring a brighter, more interconnected future for all Illinoisans.”
“Connecting Illinoisans by rail allows families to commute to work, visit loved ones and explore our great state with more ease and reliability,” Duckworth said. “Along with greater options for transportation, these federal resources—authorized through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law—will help provide good-paying, local jobs as Illinoisans plan for and eventually build out these corridor expansions.”
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