Iowa, Illinois submit high-speed rail application

Iowa and Illinois submitted another  joint applications Friday for a high-speed intercity passenger rail grant to link Chicago to Iowa City via the Quad-Cities.

The project was not approved in the first round of the multi-year federal grant program.

The application seeks federal funding for 80 percent of the project, with the remainder coming from matching state dollars from Iowa and Illinois.

Illinois Gov. Pat  Quinn and Iowa Gov. Chet Culver emphasized “new green products and practices” that would be  integrated nto the rail project in a joint letter to Federal Railroad Administration Administrator Joseph Szabo supporting the bi-state bid.

The governors said recycled materials would be used in the construction of the train, locally-grown produce served in train dining cars, and recyclable and biodegradable containers used in food service on the train.

The rail link would attract new private real estate development, revitalize cities with pedestrian-friendly business districts, and offer rail car manufacturers “an ideal opportunity to reestablish a 21st century Midwest rolling stock industry,” the letter said.

Illinois plans to use $45 million from its state capital plan to build the route, and Iowa has committed $20 million to mach a federal investment, the letter said.

Iowa Gov. Chet Culver sent a separate letter to U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood in support of the bi-state bid with Illinois.

Culver wrote that the project's success would be the important first step in initiating passenger rail service across Iowa. He emphasized the project is part of the Chicago Hub regional intercity passenger rail concept,  supported by the Midwest Regional rail Initiative.

The rail service from Chicago to Iowa City would make two trips daily at a speed of 79 miles per hour. A one-way trip would take about five hours and cost about $42.

The project has been estimated to cost $102 million.