Durbin Announces $2 Million In Federal Funding For Springfield Rail Improvement Project
Grant will be used to construct railroad underpass at Ash Street
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin today announced that the federal Department of Transportation has awarded the Illinois Department of Transportation a $2,000,000 grant for the construction of a railroad underpass at Ash Street in Springfield, Illinois – an important component of the Springfield Rail Improvement Project and the entire Chicago-to-St. Louis passenger rail corridor.
“I am pleased to announce $2 million in federal funding to advance another critical component of the Springfield Rail Improvement Project,” Durbin said. “I am also pleased to support the federal grant programs that are essential to supporting infrastructure projects important to our local communities. This funding will improve travel in and around the city, increase safety, and create good paying jobs in the region.”
The funding announced today will be used to build a railroad underpass that will separate Ash Street from the existing Norfolk Southern line and the proposed Union Pacific/Amtrak lines. The project will improve safety at the juncture while allowing for increased capacity and speed along the rail lines. This grant was made available through the Intercity Passenger Rail Grade Crossing Improvements, Positive Train Control Implementation, and Passenger Rail Corridor Investment Plan Grant Program.
In 2013, Springfield received an additional $14.4 million for the construction of a railroad underpass at Carpenter Street, a critical segment of the 10th Street rail consolidation project. This funding was made available through the federal Transportation, Investment Generating Economic Recovery grant program. Durbin and U.S. Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL) joined U.S. Representatives Aaron Schock (R-IL-18) and Rodney Davis (R-IL-13) united in support of the city’s application for the grant funding. A copy of their letter to then-Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood is available here.
-30-
Previous Article Next Article