advertisement

---

Yesterday, Sen. Martin Sandoval (D-Ill.), chairman of Illinois' Senate Transportation Committee, called on Gov. Pat Quinn and the Federal Railroad Administration to begin designing a 220 mph high-speed rail line, according to a statement issued by the Midwest High Speed Rail Authority (MHSRA).

Work currently is under way to modernize the Chicago-St. Louis Amtrak corridor to upgrade track so trains can operate at speeds up to 110 mph. The improvements would reduce trip time between the cities to four hours, 37 minutes.

However, the Obama Administration “has made it clear the goal should be two-hour trip times between major cities,” according to MHSRA. To reach that goal, states need to construct new, dedicated track to accommodate trains capable of reaching top speeds of 220 mph. MHSRA is urging Quinn to apply for federal funds to begin planning a 220 mph rail service in the state.