Imagine seeing fewer cars and trucks on the interstate, less pollution in the air, or simply leaving the car behind to take a trip. Well that could become reality in Illinois.
Over the next thirty years Illinois leaders want to improve passenger and freight rail service in every community… laying the tracks for a more fuel economy.
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Post Link: http://www.whbf.com/story/17171770/illinois-wants-folks-to-ride-the-rails-across-the-state
Construction has begun on a $17.3 million track project aimed at increasing the reliability of Amtrak’s California Zephyr passenger trains in southern Iowa by alleviating rail traffic congestion and allowing faster train speeds.
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It’s not an easy task for a city to reinvent itself into a land of prosperity, especially given all the economic pitfalls along the way.
Mayor Thomas Giarrante, however, noted numerous times in his State of the City speech late last month that Joliet is on the verge of doing just that. We agree.
Look around. There are signs of a resurgence everywhere.
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Post Link: http://heraldnews.suntimes.com/opinions/11164852-474/joliet-on-verge-of-a-resurgence.html
State transportation officials came to Alton on Thursday as part of a 10-stop circuit to discuss Illinois’ current railroad system and solicit residents’ opinions to formulate a long-term plan.
As with previous such Illinois Department of Transportation public events at the Alton Holiday Inn, 3800 Homer Adams Parkway, there was an array of informative display panels. Visitors browsed at their own pace.
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Post Link: http://www.thetelegraph.com/news/rail-67081-idot-plan.html
A trip from Grand Rapids to Chicago could soon take less time.
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Post Link: http://www.wzzm13.com/news/article/203436/48/Proposal-to-upgrade-Amtrak-Grand-Rapids-line
Upgrades to Amtrak’s Pere Marquette line between Grand Rapids and Chicago could be in the works thanks to a collaborative effort to net millions in highly competitive federal funding.
Amtrak is working with the Michigan Department of Transportation to drum up local support for the project, starting with an application by the harbor town of New Buffalo near the Indiana border for a slice of nearly $500 million in federal TIGER grants.
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Post Link: http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2012/03/grand_rapids_could_get_in_on_h.html
A test of high-speed trains could begin in July on a section of track between Dwight and Pontiac.
Administrators in both towns say work remains to be done before the trains can travel at speeds up to 110 mph. IDOT is “pushing really hard” to have the first run in July, said Pontiac Mayor Bob Russell.
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Post Link: http://www.pantagraph.com/news/local/high-speed-trains-may-test-pontiac-dwight-track-in-july/article_2b25c53e-68b0-11e1-9009-001871e3ce6c.html#ixzz1oaNDwZj2
The first 110-mph passenger trains in Illinois should begin test runs this summer on a 20-mile section of the Chicago-St. Louis line, an official with the Illinois Department of Transportation said Tuesday.
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Illinois’ transportation chief said Monday that high-speed rail will be popular with passengers.
IDOT Secretary Ann L. Schneider said the St. Louis-to-Chicago Amtrak route, where a high-speed line is being developed, has seen an increase in ridership of 210 percent over the last five years.
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Post Link: http://wjbc.com/idot-chief-high-speed-rail-will-be-a-hit/
A segment of the state’s Chicago to St. Louis high-speed rail line should be ready for a test run later this year, Illinois Department of Transportation Secretary Ann Schneider said Monday.
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Post Link: http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20120227/news/702279687/
