Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Manzullo Urges Priority to Northern Illinois AMTRAK

April 13, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Rich Carter
(815)356-9800

Manzullo Urges U.S. Transportation Secretary to
Prioritize Northern Illinois Amtrak Route for Funding

[WASHINGTON]  U.S. Rep. Don Manzullo (R-IL) is asking U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood to set aside a small portion of the $8 billion targeted for high-speed rail this year to help fund track improvements needed to restart the Amtrak line running from Chicago to Rockford and beyond to Freeport, Galena and Dubuque.

Manzullo teamed up with Rep. Bruce Braley (D-IA) in seeking the federal funds to help pay for the minimum $32 million in track upgrades needed to allow Amtrak trains to run 182 miles from Chicago to Dubuque. The request is outlined in a letter Manzullo and Braley sent to Secretary LaHood on Monday.

“One of the most promising additions to the Midwest’s Chicago Hub Network is the Chicago-Dubuque Intercity Passenger Rail Corridor via Rockford, Freeport, Lena and Galena,” the letter states. “According to a 2008 Amtrak feasibility study, the Chicago-Dubuque route requires $32.3 million to improve track conditions for 50 mph service. At this speed, annual ridership is expected to be 77,500 passengers.”

Manzullo has been a strong supporter of Amtrak and commuter rail and has worked with Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) to encourage Amtrak to re-start the Chicago-to-Dubuque line through Rockford. In 2005, Manzullo and Durbin secured $2.6 million for a study to determine the feasibility of extending commuter rail from Chicago to Belvidere and Rockford.

“Amtrak service running from Chicago through Rockford, Freeport and Galena to Dubuque would spur economic development and give our residents another transportation option to get to their destinations,” Manzullo said. “I strongly encourage Secretary LaHood to prioritize federal funding to help pay for the track upgrades necessary to return Amtrak service to northern Illinois.”

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