09.17.09

Durbin: Legislation Allowing FRA to Assist IDOT in 10th Street Feasibility Study Passed by Senate

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced the approval of his amendment allowing the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to provide technical and financial assistance to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and local officials for a feasibility study of the Tenth Street corridor as a route for consolidated freight and passenger rail operations in Springfield, Illinois. The amendment was added to the 2010 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations bill which passed the U.S. Senate earlier today.

 

“In a meeting last week, Secretary Hannig agreed to work with local leaders to begin a feasibility study of the Tenth Street corridor. Today, the Senate has agreed to involve the federal government in the effort to find a long-term solution to rail consolidation Springfield,” said Durbin. “We must have a full accounting of the impact that additional tracks and increased traffic will have on the community around Tenth Street so that we can realistically plan for the future.”

 

In the meeting last Friday with Durbin, Springfield Mayor Tim Davlin, Sangamon County Board Chairman Andy Van Meter, and the officials from Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern, IDOT Secretary Gary Hannig agreed to conduct a feasibility study of the 10th Street corridor as an alternative to the 3rd Street corridor which is currently used for both freight and passenger rail. This would allow the state’s application for high speed rail funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to move forward as planned while committing the state to working toward a long-term solution that would benefit residents in the city of Springfield. Today’s legislation reflects a federal commitment to that goal.