2008 Woodie Awards
A slow journey to the fast track
Proposed high-speed rail between St. Louisand Chicago stalls under the weight of political, monetary strain
Matthew D. R. Lehner
Issue date: 8/21/08 Section: Features
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It wasn't the first time.
Dratnol, who used Amtrak to travel either to or from SLU six times last year, is accustom to the experience, but she wishes the trains traveled faster.
As the rest of the developed world and a few parts of the United States continue to expand and upgrade their passenger rail networks, the proposed high-speed corridor between St. Louis and Chicago remains stalled, both politically and monetarily.
Since 1999, the state of Illinois has invested approximately $165 million into the route, from environmental studies to track upgrades, in order to allow for high-speed travel.
The faster speeds would lower travel time to 3 hours and 40 minutes from the current 5.5 hours.
In 2004, a 120-mile portion of the route, from Springfield, Ill., to Mazonia, Ill., underwent a physical upgrade to allow for 110 mph speeds.
The state completed additional upgrades to signal crossings on the same portion of route, in 2006.
While the tracks are ready, Amtrak trains' maximum speeds are still 79 mph. More funds are needed for additional safety equipment that is required for grade crossings where trains will be traveling at 110 mph.
The Illinois Department of Transportation applied for three federal grants that would provide the needed funds to finish the improvements and purchase the required safety equipment between Springfield and Mazonia.
If the funds come through, a faster trip could come soon.
"Trains would be able to start running at 110 mph along those 120 miles by the end of 2009," said George Weber, acting director of IDOT's Bureau of Railroads. "It would take about 20-30 minutes off the trip if we got that line up to speed."
According to state officials, it would take an additional $200-$300 million to fund the remaining upgrades to the other sections of track, particularly north of Joliet, Ill., and tracks closer to St. Louis.
Proponents of the high-speed line from St. Louis to Chicago argue that the delay isn't a matter of technology but of funding and political will.
"The state has known for 10 years now what it takes to get that trip down to 3 hours and 40 minutes," said Rick Harnish, executive director of the Midwest High Speed Rail Association, based in Chicago.
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