Posted on 01/28/2010 7:34:18 PM PST by iowamark
WASHINGTON D.C. - The planned return of Chicago-Iowa City passenger trains won’t receive federal stimulus money.
The Chicago-Iowa City route wasn’t among the corridors sharing $8 billion for high-speed rail projects announced late Wednesday night by the White House. (see full list of the awards)
Iowa’s share: $1 million to study an extension of passenger service between Chicago and Omaha via Des Moines, and $17.3 million to install four remote-controlled powered crossovers on the BNSF Railway across southern Iowa.
“We’re excited that we got some funding and that will move us a step ahead, but we’re disappointed we didn’t get the two big projects funded,” said Tammy Nicholson, rail projects planner for the Iowa Department of Transportation.
Illinois and Iowa transportation officials had applied for $233 million Chicago-Iowa City service and about $139 million to restore service between Chicago and Dubuque.
The announcement leaves Iowa rail supporters waiting on word from the federal Department of Transportation on the state’s application for $1.5 billion to fund improvements to rail and highway transportation. The Amtrak plans would be eligible for a share of that funding. The deadline on that announcement is Feb. 17.
Meanwhile the Chicago-Omaha study will both build on and supplement work already done on the Chicago-Iowa City service, Nicholson said.
“The work we’ll be doing for Chicago to Omaha will better position iowa for future rounds of funding, and we know there will be future rounds,” she said.
The new crossovers on the BNSF near Ottumwa allow trains to shift from one parallel track to another to meet or pass slower trains, allowing faster travel times between Chicago and Omaha on Amtrak’s California Zephyr. That Chicago-Oakland, Calif., train stops in Burlington, Mount Pleasant, Ottumwa, Osceola, and Creston.
Plans for the Iowa City route call for trains running on the Iowa Interstate Railroad and BNSF to operate up to 79 mph. Most of the routes receiving stimulus funding will see trains running at least 110 mph.
The Iowa-Illinois projects — the states are also cooperating on an effort to restore Chicago-Dubuque service — could still receive money from a $1.9 billion fund for new Amtrak routes under legislation signed in late 2008 by George W. Bush. Amtrak is to announce how that funding will be distributed by Feb. 17.
In a statement released by his office, Gov. Chet Culver said he was disappointed the project wasn’t funded.
“These are sound projects that will help the people of this state, and with the work we have already done, we will be competitive for future rounds of funding,” Culver said. “I am confident that an expanded passenger rail system is in Iowa’s future, and the Culver/Judge Administration will continue to work directly with members of our congressional delegation, with Illinois officials and with the Obama Administration to get this done.”
http://www.airliners.net/photo/Singapore-Airlines/Airbus-A380-841/1646063/L/
Singapore Airlines suite...
Sorry, Chicago - you helped The One, but that’s over and done, so you don’t get none!
I’m amazed to think that we need high speed rail between Iowa City and Chicago.
Have they not heard of I-80?
High speed rail is great to connect 2 areas, with large amounts of people, who want to travel back and forth.
Wow—that train looks really posh! Can’t wait to try it! ;-)
While I’m highly against any federal funding for this kind of thing, I do believe that IC/Chicago is a better fit than the Tampa/Orlando (hmm, those are both in FL, why would the federal gov be involved?) project. IC/Chicago both have decent public transit, so there’s a chance that someone might actually use it.
High Speed rail really needs to be confined to places that need business fast, without the hassle of air travel rape.
Iowa City isn’t that big. The cost per passenger would be huge. I would guess one could purchase a Mercedes for each passenger with the amount of money needed.
Look at this way; it’s 222 miles between the 2, and I-80 runs directly there.
http://www.mapquest.com/maps?1c=Iowa+City&1s=IA&1y=US&1l=41.661098&1g=-91.529999&1v=CITY&2c=Chicago&2s=IL&2y=US&2l=41.883823&2g=-87.632469&2v=CITY
The train will run at 110 mph, so about 2 hours. I can normally drive almost 80 mph on I-80. Plus you would have to wait for a train to leave at a certain time.
So there is no time saved with the high speed rail trip, but 100’s of millions spend to put it in.
I don’t get it.
Well I am a few miles weat of Iowa City and I don’t think the area qualifies as having large amounts of people—which is one reason I live where I live.
Well I am a few miles weat of Iowa City and I don’t think the area qualifies as having large amounts of people—which is one reason I live where I live.
The train they have planned will travel “up to 79 mph.” The actual average speed would be about 60, meaning that it would be slower than a bus, as are the existing Illinois trains.
I agree it’s stupid. I was more trying to point out how stupid the Tampa/Orlando route 0 “announced” yesterday is, since they don’t have decent public transport.
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