Prairie State Wire

CHICAGO – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL)  visited Chicago Union Station to highlight schedule changes for Lincoln Service trains, which begin today following the successful implementation of the Chicago-to-St. Louis high-speed rail project. The schedule changes for Lincoln Service trains will enable passenger rail service to reach 110 mph. With this new high-speed schedule, passengers will see their travel time reduced by 15 minutes from 90 mph runtimes and 30 minutes from 79 mph runtimes.

"Today marks a momentous occasion as we come together to celebrate the successful implementation of the Chicago to St. Louis high-speed rail project—a vision that has been close to my heart and a top priority throughout my tenure as a U.S. Senator,” said Durbin. “This transformative rail infrastructure not only signifies progress, but also embodies the values of efficiency, accessibility, and sustainable transportation. As I stand here today, witnessing the fruits of our labor, I eagerly anticipate my first journey on this faster train, a testament to the advancements we've made in enhancing connectivity, reducing travel times, and improving the overall passenger experience. Together, we have laid the tracks for a brighter future, where commuters and travelers alike can enjoy the benefits of efficient, high-speed rail travel.”

Having supported the testing and implementation of high-speed rail for more than two decades, Durbin secured roughly 80 percent of the project’s nearly $2 billion cost, including $1.66 billion in funding from an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grant that was awarded in 2010. 

Original source can be found here.