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Chicago-Omaha Passenger Rail Still a PossibilityBy Jami Brinton, Reporter
IOWA CITY – Some of the $8 billion in federal stimulus money the White House announced it will use to enhance and build rail systems in 31 states throughout the nation will come to Iowa.
More than $17 million will go toward track construction on the Burlington Northern-Santé Fe railway in Ottumwa. Iowa Department of Transportation officials say that's critical to improve on-time arrivals and raise speed so that more people want to travel by rail. Another million dollars goes to a Chicago to Omaha passenger rail study, a route that would include Iowa City. It comes as no surprise that one of President Obama's top priorities is creating a better rail system in the Heartland. The President hinted as much during his last visit to Iowa in April 2009. "We need to connect Des Moines to Chicago with high speed rail,” President Obama said at that time. IDOT officials tell TV-9 the President wants to build an "octopus-like" rail system throughout this region. But, before the federal government signs off on the multi-million dollar Chicago-Omaha track, it wants to make sure people would use the rail system and that it would be a money-maker. That's why Johnson County leaders say the one-million dollar feasibility study is so important. "We're thrilled [about the announcement] for several reasons,” said Nancy Quellhorst, President and CEO of the Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce. “One its on-going progress and we're delighted about that but it's also a vote of confidence by Secretary LaHood and the Obama Administration that we're worthy of that investment." Iowa City’s interim city manager said he was disappointed that the White House didn't give Iowa more money to build the track, but funding the study is still a step in the right direction. "The fact that this route is being studied all the way to Omaha would seem to me to indicate a very strong interest on the part of the federal government and interest enough to putting some more money into completing the study,” said Helling. The million dollar feasibility study is supposed to start in the next six months. State transportation say there's more federal money up for grabs this year. The State hopes to secure some of that cash for the Chicago-Omaha rail project. More Good Stuff |
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