'Slow and steady' progress reported on Iowa City to Chicago rail service

Progress on passenger rail service between Iowa City and Chicago is “slow and steady,” according Nancy Quellhorst.

“And we're pleased with that,” said the Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce president and CEO, which is leading the effort to find funding for the Chicago Flyer.

“We're pleased that we continue to make progress,” she said Monday. “That's the critical thing.”

It's hard to lay out a definite timetable for the passenger rail project simply because it's hard to tell how long each step will take, Quellhorst said.

The Chamber will host a community information meeting at 4:30 p.m., April 27 at the Chamber office, 325 E. Washington St., to discuss updates regarding funding for passenger rail service.

The Iowa Legislature has approved $6.5 million in the Rebuild Iowa Infrastructure Fund (RIIF) bill. The 20 percent state match makes the state eligible for the Iowa City to Chicago route to compete for a portion the federal funding available for intercity passenger rail, Quellhorst said.

The federal government has allocated an additional $2.5 billion for passenger rail projects, with another commitment of $1 billion per year over the next four years.

Iowa's application was not approved in the first round when funds went to hub-to-hub routes. Quellhorst is encouraged by feedback from the federal Department of Transportation on prospects for the Iowa City to Chicago route in the next round. Iowa's partnership with Illinois and other Midwest states works to its favor, she said.

If approved, Quellhorst cautioned, it will take considerable time to complete the route. One challenge will be finding the necessary rolling stock because there's a shortage now.

The benefits of developing the service include business development, increased property values, permanent job creation, improved quality of life and increased tourism, Quellhorst said.

Funding criteria can be found at www.fra.dot.gov/us/content/2243. The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) applications are due at the beginning of July, with selection announcements anticipated by the end of October.

The 79 mph high-speed passenger rail service from Chicago to Iowa City will make two trips daily. A one-way trip between Iowa City and Chicago would take about five hours and cost roughly $42. Amtrak expects 120,000 people to take the route annually. The estimated cost of the project $102 million.

The Chamber launched its Chicago Flyer initiative in March 2009 to actively lobby for the 79 mph Amtrak passenger train service connecting Iowa City to Chicago through the Quad Cities. Since its debut, more than 2,000 individuals, businesses and government agencies have joined the Chicago Flyer coalition. The initiative also boasts more than 5,700 Facebook friends.

For more, visit www.ICRailNow.com.