www.idothsr.org/

Vision
Illinois’ signature high-speed route is the Chicago to St. Louis corridor.  Of the 35 million plus trips between Chicago and St. Louis, more than 90 percent have origins or destinations in Chicago or St. Louis. A more balanced transportation system in the corridor would provide travelers with greater mobility options. To achieve this, either a new transportation mode must be introduced, or improvements to an existing intercity passenger rail mode must be made. Reduced travel time, increased service reliability, and enhanced safety would attract travelers from automobile and air travel to a new or improved rail mode of transportation.
Benefits

• Operations at speeds of up to 110 mph
• More balanced modal use of the transportation network
• On time performance of up to 85 percent
• Five daily round trips including three high speed rail round trips
• Improved air quality and reduced demand for oil
• Enhanced signals and grade crossing warning systems
• Improved ride quality through the purchase of six high speed rail train sets

Funding

• In January 2010, FRA selected Illinois to receive $1.1 billion for corridor improvements to bring high-speed passenger rail service to Illinois by 2014 in the area between Dwight and East St. Louis.  
• Additionally in January 2010, $1.25  million in federal funding was allocated  to  complete  a  Tier  1  Environmental  Impact  Statement  (EIS), which  will study the impacts of potential additional improvements along the Chicago to St. Louis corridor and determine the preferred route from Chicago to Joliet.
• In December 2010, an additional $42.3 million originally allocated to other states were redistributed to Illinois. 
• Most recently, in May 2011, Illinois was selected by FRA to receive $186.3 million in additional funds to further upgrade the high speed route and provide high speed service between Dwight and Joliet.  Additionally, Illinois, with four other Midwestern states, was awarded $268.2 million to purchase 48 passenger rail cars and 7 locomotives compliant with standards for use on corridors with speeds up to 110 mph.

Construction

• Improvements include upgraded track constructed at 110 miles per hour standards, siding and crossovers, grade crossing surfaces, signals and warning system, stations, and new locomotives and cars.
• Track renewal will be completed over two construction seasons: 2010 and 2011. The 2010 construction included upgrading 76.5 miles of existing track from Brighton, IL to Elkhart, IL, excluding the Springfield area.*
• Track renewal for this year’s construction season began on April 2, 2011 covering 96 miles of track from Elkhart, IL and proceeding north to Dwight, IL. It is scheduled for completion by late summer.
• State-of-the-art Track Renewal Train (TRT-909) machinery will be used to perform the track improvements including the installation of new rail, concrete ties and additional track components.
• Construction between Dwight and Joliet, funded by the $186.4 million awarded in May 2011, will include extension of a second main line track south from Joliet, the addition of a new passing siding near Braidwood, and upgrades to the entire section to allow for travel up to 110 mph.

• 2010 & 2011: Track reconstruction and upgrades
• 2011: Procurement process begins for new high-speed rail locomotives and cars
• 2012: Operation of trains up to 110 miles per hour between Dwight and Pontiac
• 2014: Operation of trains up to 110 miles per hour between Dwight and Joliet

*A study is currently underway to determine the best route through Springfield.
Schedule