(The Associated Press circulated the following on September 30.)
CHICAGO — The federal government is providing nearly $30 million for 15 passenger rail projects across the country, including two projects in Illinois. The Illinois passenger rail projects receiving federal matching grants include:
— Installation of centralized traffic control and cab signals from Joliet to Mazonia, $1.55 million.
The U.S. Department of Transportation says the new technology will improve safety and lower delays due to the current signal system between Joliet and Mazonia, about 30 miles away. The state of Illinois will contribute $1.2 million and Union Pacific will add $775,000.
— Install cab signal technology from Mazonia to Ridgeley (near Springfield), $1.85 million.
Transportation officials say the update will allow train speeds to increase to 110 miles per hour from 79 miles per hour on 120 miles of the Chicago-St. Louis corridor. They also say travel times will decrease by 24 minutes. The state of Illinois will contribute $925,000 and Union Pacific will add $925,000.