WASHINGTON - Illinois senators said this afternoon they were notified that a portion of the $2billion in high-speed rail funding rejected by Florida will be spent along the tracks in Illinois.
The Department of Transportation today said it had re-allocated $400 million of the money turned down by Florida, including $186 million won by Illinois in competitive bidding, the Illinois officials announced.
"Illinois will be able to use this funding to upgrade an important segment of the Chicago to St. Louis corridor," Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said in a statement.
Sen. Mark Kirk, R-Ill., said the project is creating nearly 6,000 direct and indirect jobs while reducing delays and improving rail performance.
The high-speed rail money became available when the Obama administration took back $2.4billion allocated to Florida. Florida Gov. Rick Scott said he didn't want the obligation of the operating costs of a proposed Tampa to Orlando corridor.
Illinois, which received $1.1 billion in stimulus money last year for the St. Louis-Chicago route, has been among the most aggressive states in pursuing high-speed rail funds.
After Wisconsin and Ohio forfeited rail funds this year, Illinois was awarded $42 million of that money.
Illinois has more applications pending, including $263 million for new rail cars and $1 million for preliminary engineering for a new rail station in East St. Louis.
Before the April 4 deadline, Missouri applied for nearly $1 billion in funds rail line improvements and preparation for a high-speed corridor between St. Louis and Kansas City. |
