Durbin, Duckworth, Bustos Urge IDOT And IAIS To Finalize Agreement To Begin Construction On Quad Cities Passenger Rail Project
Disagreements between IDOT and IAIS continue to delay the project
SPRINGFIELD – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and U.S. Representative Cheri Bustos (D-IL-17) today sent a letter to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and the Iowa Interstate Railroad (IAIS) urging them to finalize an agreement on the scope and costs of infrastructure upgrades needed so that construction can begin on the long awaited Quad Cities to Chicago passenger rail route. Without an agreement between IDOT and IAIS, construction will continue to be delayed, jeopardizing federal funding for the project.
“We write to express our strong concerns about the lack of progress toward a final agreement between the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and Iowa Interstate Railroad (IAIS) on the infrastructure upgrades needed to begin rail passenger service on the proposed route between Chicago and the Quad Cities in Illinois. Residents of the Quad Cities have waited far too long for passenger service to Chicago to become a reality, and we urge both parties to come to an agreement on the scope and costs of the project as soon as possible so that construction can begin,” wrote the lawmakers.
“After years of unnecessary delays, the last remaining hurdle to construction is an agreement between IDOT and IAIS on the upgrades needed to convert IAIS’ existing freight tracks for passenger service… In 2019, we secured a five-year extension of the project’s federal funding from the Federal Railroad Administration to provide ample time for IDOT and IAIS to negotiate an agreement and for construction to begin on the project. If an agreement is not reached soon, construction could be delayed even further, jeopardizing the federal funds for the project,” they continued.
Durbin secured $177 million in federal funding for the project in 2010. The project was delayed for years because former Governor Rauner refused to provide state funding for it. Governor Pritzker renewed the state’s commitment to the project by providing $225 million in state funding in 2019, but since then IDOT and IAIS have failed to reach an agreement on the infrastructure upgrades needed for the project. Durbin, Duckworth, and Bustos have secured repeated extensions of the federal funding, but the current funding extension will expire in 2024 unless IDOT and IAIS reach an agreement so construction can begin. The proposed Quad Cities passenger rail route, running between Chicago and Quad Cities, was initially slated to begin service in 2014.
A copy of the letter can be found here and below:
February 4, 2022
Dear Mr. Parsons and Secretary Osman,
We write to express our strong concerns about the lack of progress toward a final agreement between the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and Iowa Interstate Railroad (IAIS) on the infrastructure upgrades needed to begin rail passenger service on the proposed route between Chicago and the Quad Cities in Illinois. Residents of the Quad Cities have waited far too long for passenger service to Chicago to become a reality, and we urge both parties to come to an agreement on the scope and costs of the project as soon as possible so that construction can begin.
Significant federal and state funds have been available to advance this important project for years. IDOT received $177 million in federal funds to initiate passenger service between Chicago and the Quad Cities in 2010. Although the project was halted by the state’s previous governor, Governor Pritzker renewed the state’s commitment to the project by providing $225 million in state funding in 2019. The City of Moline also has committed funding to advance this project, constructing a multi-modal transportation center, which will serve as the station for the new passenger rail route.
After years of unnecessary delays, the last remaining hurdle to construction is an agreement between IDOT and IAIS on the upgrades needed to convert IAIS’ existing freight tracks for passenger service. The new passenger route will run on IAIS’s tracks between Bureau County and Moline. In 2019, we secured a five-year extension of the project’s federal funding from the Federal Railroad Administration to provide ample time for IDOT and IAIS to negotiate an agreement and for construction to begin on the project. If an agreement is not reached soon, construction could be delayed even further, jeopardizing the federal funds for the project.
It’s far past time for IDOT and IAIS to conclude negotiations and reach a fair agreement that will allow this new passenger rail service to become a reality. Passenger rail service between Chicago and the Quad Cities was originally promised to begin in 2014. This project maintains strong support and financial commitment at the federal, state, and local levels. New passenger rail service between Chicago and the Quad Cities will help grow the local economy, create jobs, and connect folks from across our state with new opportunities.
We urge you to reach an agreement on the scope, design, and construction of necessary upgrades promptly. If this is not possible, we request a meeting with both parties to understand better the remaining challenges to reaching an agreement.
As we have for years, we stand ready to help in any way we can to advance this too long delayed project.
Sincerely,
-30-