Iowa still needs to pony up for rail program

The Iowa City Press Citizen

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"We look stupid.”

That's how, back in December, state Rep. Dave Jacoby, D-Coralville, described Iowa's reluctance to pony up a $20.6 million match to claim an $87 million 2010 federal grant and finally construct the long dreamed-of passenger rail line from Chicago to Iowa City - and eventually on to Des Moines and Omaha.

“We're dead center in the Midwest,” Jacoby continued. “What, are we going to have people go up to Minnesota to get to Nebraska? It really does look stupid.”

We agreed with Jacoby's blunt assessment at the time, and we especially agree with it after the Iowa Legislature - in an otherwise history-making year - failed to approve Iowa's portion of the project.

Although critics of the project rightfully scoff at using the phrase “high-speed rail” to describe a proposed five-hour trip from Iowa City to the Windy City, the new rail line would present multiple opportunities for both Iowa and Illinois - which is why Illinois is moving forward at full speed with its end of the project.

It's true the rail stands to benefit Eastern Iowa cities most directly, and it remains an important part of Iowa City's plans for (re)developing the Riverfront Crossings area. But the long term plan for the rail line stands to benefit cities along the Interstate 80 corridor.

Although the initial price tag is high, we continue to think the route would be a worthwhile investment for the state - especially at a time in which citizens are beginning to wake up to the need for more environmental and economic sustainability.

There are some concerns that the proposed line would have a negative impact on Iowa businesses by facilitating residents to leave town and shop in larger metropolitan areas. But many of the Iowa City-area residents who are interested in shopping excursions to Chicago are taking such trips already. And the line would facilitate day trips between Iowa City and the Quad Cities that could benefit both areas.

The line also could make it easier for the growing number of University of Iowa students coming from Chicagoland to travel to and from school - maybe even leaving their cars behind. And it likewise would provide some safe travel options for City's growing population of retirees.

Lawmakers supporting the rail proposal say this year's lack of action is a setback, but not a fatal setback. And we're glad to hear Jacoby is working across the aisle with Rep. Bobby Kaufmann, R-Wilton, to find a bipartisan compromise that would allow this project to move forward. (The two have proposed pairing the rail funding with some eminent domain restrictions supported by Kaufmann.)

But the big question now is, “How long will the feds wait on Iowa to make up its mind?” There's no hard deadline on the federal money, but bureaucrats could give it to other projects if Iowa doesn't come up with the match eventually.