Over on the other side of the Mississippi River, the wheels are turning for the construction of a “high-speed rail” line going across the state of Illinois.
That will impact Missouri, because the rail line is supposed to stretch from St. Louis to Chicago. More from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch’s Kevin McDermont:
The latest phase of the long-debated project will begin construction April 5, with new rail track between Alton and the Mississippi River, and between Dwight and Lincoln, as well as installation of a modernized signal system between Dwight and Alton.
The ultimate goal is a 110 mph Chicago-to-St. Louis line, with some spans in northern Illinois to be ready for that speed by early as next year. Part of project is a feasibility study about the possibility of an eventual 220 mph line in Illinois.
In a statement, Quinn’s office touted what it said will be “6,200 direct and indirect jobs” from the latest construction phase, saying it will “move Illinois one step closer to faster trains and improved service along its signature high-speed route.”
While Gov. Jay Nixon has been a supporter of the St. Louis-to-Chicago rail project,
his likely 2012 opponent - Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder - criticized the plan late last month in a speech to St. Louis County Republicans.
Design by Simon Fletcher. Powered by Tumblr.
© Copyright 2010
