“Illinois will be able to use this funding to upgrade an important segment of the Chicago to St. Louis corridor,” said US senator Dick Durbin. “Improvements to this route will improve on-time performance, increase travel speeds and create jobs that our state badly needs.
“This project will create nearly 6,000 direct and indirect jobs, decrease delays and improve performance,” said US senator Mark Kirk. “High speed rail projects like this one will ensure that Illinois remains at the center of the nation’s infrastructure network, attracting more jobs and making us more economically competitive.”
“Today’s announcement is an important step toward faster trains and even better rail service on the route between Chicago and St. Louis, ultimately making Illinois the Midwest’s hub for high-speed rail,” said Illinois governor Pat Quinn. “We are committed to quickly turning federal investment in rail into jobs and economic development across the state. This latest award is another example of our ongoing efforts to lead the nation in development of high-speed rail.”
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