An Amtrak route linking Chicago and Moline, Ill., will remain funded by a $177 million in Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) allotment that the U.S. Department of Transportation agreed to extend until the end of 2024.
The move follows pleas from Illinois Democrats: U.S. Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth as well as U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos. In a correspondence sent earlier this year, the legislators urged Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao to extend the funding, which was initially granted in 2010. At the same time, Gov. J.B. Pritzker has also agreed to renew the state’s commitment to the route, opening $225 million in additional funding for it.
“Today’s announcement gives local communities in the Quad Cities the certainty needed to plan ahead for the new passenger rail service,” Durbin said. “After years of unnecessary delay, Senator Duckworth, Representative Bustos, and I have pushed hard to make Amtrak in the Quad Cities a reality. The future of this critical Illinois transportation project looks bright.”
The FRA was directed to issue a multi-year extension of the funds under the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development 2020 Appropriations Bill, which Durbin oversaw as a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. Bustos did the same in the House.
“The completion of a rail line from Moline to Chicago would help grow the local economy, create jobs and connect folks from across our state with new opportunities,” Bustos said. “Today’s news is the culmination of years of effort and will allow for our region to take the next steps forward to prepare for this crucial project.”