Before Amtrak can look at the feasibility of a Chicago-Peoria Amtrak route, they had to complete their study of a Chicago-Quad Cities corridor. That study was released this week, and it’s very encouraging. According to the Associated Press, it estimates the route would get 111,000 riders per year, cost between $14 and $23 million to upgrade the trackage, and $6 million annually to operate.
You can read Amtrak’s press release here. Included on that page is a link to the executive summary of the report.
My understanding is that the next feasibility study Amtrak and IDOT will be working on is the Chicago-Peoria study.
Someone please muzzle Ray LaHood.
What did he do now? What have I missed?
RTP is referring to LaHood’s negative comments last year about restoring rail passenger service to Peoria.
I expect the study will say that Peorians don’t want rail service; they want to ride to Chicago on their bicycles. The study will recommend that Route 29 be turned into a bike trail, that connects with a new bike trail to be built in the median of I-80.
LOL Mouse!
Amtrak’s study will probably conclude the cheapest option will be using the portion of BNSF’s former Santa Fe line between Chicago and Chillicothe, the Iowa Interstate (IAIS) from there to Peoria, thence Tazewell & Peoria into downtown.
A connection between the BNSF and IAIS lines at Chillicothe will be required, and the Iowa Interstate track will require some upgrades (though the railroad is planning a major crosstie renewal project along this stretch this year) to allow for higher speeds. Currently, freight trains are allowed to run at 25mph, with 10mph restrictions throgh Chillicothe and a couple of miles in Peoria.
The Tazewell & Peoria track was completely rebuilt with new rail, crossties and ballast in 2000 and is in excellent condition. Lack of signaling and flasher-protected grade crossings will require more $$$.
Hopefully, BNSF will agree to host four daily trains…
Around $20mil seems so cheap, it is only a third of a one new school!
David, if the Quad Cities train runs on the former Rock Island, it will be upgraded to Bureau, so what would be the difference between upgrading Chillicothe-Bureau vs. putting in the connection at Chilli? Have to also weigh in the larger population base on the all-Rock Island route, and the savings from the joint use of stations at places like LaSalle and Ottawa (which always produced good patronage for the Rock Island). In addition, Bureau could resume its historical transfer point status for Peoria passengers wishing to travel west if the Quad City train is extended to Iowa City or Des Moines.
Mouse, I would prefer Chicago – Quad Cities/Peoria service use the historic Rock Island route, but the QC study has already concluded that that route would be costlier and a longer trip. I expect the pols to fund the BNSF-Wyanet-IAIS option.
If the BNSF-Chillicothe-IAIS-Peoria-TZPR option for Peoria isn’t found viable then we might see the return of the Prairie Marksman via Chenoa and the TP&W. That wouldn’t be a bad option if the station is located on W. Washington St., though that would involve another railroad (Tazewell & Peoria), which would be an added expense.
I think the Quad City route is an open question. The Burlington Route already has 8 trains a day on it, and Ottawa and LaSalle really want rail service.