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The Illinois Department of Transportation has launched construction on a $98 million project to upgrade 90 miles of Union Pacific Railroad track between Alton and Lincoln to prepare for high-speed rail service. The project represents the first high-speed rail upgrade in the country, according to a press release issued today by Gov. Pat Quinn’s office.

Funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), the project is part of the larger Chicago-to-St. Louis high-speed rail project, which calls for making corridor improvements to operate trains at speeds up to 110 mph. The Illinois DOT received $1.1 billion in ARRA funds for the line.

Illinois DOT launched construction on a segment that runs from Alton to Springfield earlier this  month; work then will begin on a segment between Springfield and Lincoln. The initial segment of track upgrades is scheduled to be complete by December’s end.

In addition, Illinois DOT currently is conducting a study to determine the best route for  high-speed rail traffic through Springfield.