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Feb. 17, 2010
By Chris Umscheid
NORTH LIBERTY LEADER
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IOWA CITY - Plans for the return of passenger rail service to Iowa City encountered a snag recently.
On Jan. 27, the White House announced recipients of federal money to fund passenger rail service. The Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) and officials from Illinois requested approximately $400 million worth of grants. The requests were for a new Dubuque to Chicago route as well as Chicago to Iowa City, via the Quad Cities.
However, neither route received the funding.
Instead, federal dollars will go toward improvements on the existing AMTRAK route across southern Iowa, which utilizes the tracks of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad. A series of high-speed, remote control crossovers will be installed at select points along the line. For example, a train dispatcher will be able to route a fast moving AMTRAK train around a much slower moving coal train.
The feds did, however, authorize $1 million for a study of proposed service from Chicago, through the Quad Cities, Iowa City, and Des Moines to Omaha.
"It (the study) indicates interest in and commitment to a comprehensive rail infrastructure in Iowa and beyond," said Kelly McCann, Director of Communications for the Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce. She added the grant "will better prepare Iowa to secure future federal funding"
The Chamber, which has been spearheading the return of passenger rail service, sees further opportunities for federal funds in the future. An additional $2.5 billion in rail appropriations has been allocated for future applications. McCann also said President Obama has committed $1 million per year in the budget, for the next four years, specifically for passenger rail service.
"We are confident that this administration will continue support through sustained funding," McCann said.
Passenger rail advocates received a morale boost when Illinois Governor Pat Quinn announced a pledge to put $45 million in his state's capital fund toward the Chicago to Quad Cities route, and $60 million to the Chicago to Dubuque effort. Quinn made his announcements in Rockford and Moline just a few days following the federal decision.
"We are delighted," McCann said of Gov. Quinn's commitment. "Reviving passenger rail to the Quad Cities after more than 40 years is a great step in the right direction" McCann added that once the route is established and the existing rail line upgraded, it will make continuing to Iowa City "even more attractive"
As for Iowa Governor Chet Culver, McCann said the Chamber "appreciates support from the Governor and Iowa legislators" That support has included "advocating the value of this long-term investment for the state," she said, noting the Chamber and passenger rail advocates hope that the legislators will "reserve the $3 million previously allocated for improving current and establishing additional intercity passenger rail service" The amount was featured in the I-JOBS legislation.
Anyone interested in learning more about the proposed "Chicago Flyer" can go to www.ICRailNow.com for more information.
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