[IL-Talk] FW: passenger rail news

[Steve Hastalis]

Hello Fellow Federationists:

 

I have sent this along, four your information:

 

I have received this correspondence from the Environmental Policy and Law
Center.

 

Cordially, Steve hastalis

 

Feds approve Amtrak running 110 mph along Chicago to St. Louis routes. The
federal government has signed off on higher speed Amtrak passenger trains
between Chicago and St. Louis, running through Springfield, and Lincoln,
completing more than three decades of effort to bring high-speed rail to the
state and the nation's passenger rail service. At 110 mph, the speed is 20
mph faster than the previous limit along the corridor. Congress finally
approved the $1.95 billion project that included tracks and other upgrades
more than a decade ago during the Obama administration. The infrastructure
work was largely done by 2017, but other federa                          l
approvals took until now.
https://www.nprillinois.org/illinois/2023-05-04/feds-approve-amtrak-running-
110-mph-along-chicago-to-st-louis-routes

 

High-speed rail a $100m conversation starter in early Michigan budget. The
state Senate's initial budget proposal for the Michigan Department of
Transportation, which a committee on Tuesday passed to the full legislature
for negotiations, includes $100 million "to encourage high-speed rail
development." The catch, however, is that this number, which represents more
than 14% of MDOT's proposed budget increase, is "just trying to start the
conversation," says the lawmaker who took point on crafting the Senate's
transportation proposal for fiscal year 2023-24.
https://www.mlive.com/public-interest/2023/05/high-speed-rail-a-100m-convers
ation-starter-in-early-michigan-budget.html

 

Working group recommends Amtrak improve food, beverage offerings. Congress
created the group - made up of passenger advocates, state partners and
Amtrak employees and management - as part of the Infrastructure Investment
and Jobs Act of 2021 (IIJA).. The group's recommendations include clear
ingredients lists, waste control efforts and technology improvements, such
as internet connections to keep food items stocked and allow food to be
purchased on board, Rail Passengers Association
<https://www.railpassengers.org/>  officials said in a press release.
https://www.progressiverailroading.com/amtrak/news/Working-group-recommends-
Amtrak-improve-food-beverage-offerings--69252

 

Amtrak to Upgrade Rolling Stock Maintenance Facilities. Amtrak has announced
upcoming procurement packages to renovate its maintenance facilities in
Seattle, Boston, New York City and Washington, DC. These projects will
improve trainset maintenance and repairs and inspection and cleaning
processes for Amtrak's existing and future fleet, including new Acela and
Amtrak Airo trains.
https://railway-news.com/amtrak-to-upgrade-rolling-stock-maintenance-facilit
ies/

 

Should Massachusetts build high-speed rail across the state? Massachusetts
Gov. Maura Healey wants to establish new intercity rail passenger service
<https://www.smartcitiesdive.com/news/massachusetts-governor-healey-expand-i
ntercity-passenger-train-service-west-rail-Amtrak/644801/>  along an
existing rail line from Boston to Worcester, Springfield and Pittsfield,
Massachusetts, but Rep. Seth Moulton, who represents the Northeastern part
of the state, has another idea: Build a new high-speed rail line from the
ground up..Jim Mathews, president and CEO of the nonprofit Rail Passengers
Association, said he agrees with Moulton, and the association supports the
construction of high-speed rail for this route. Connecting major population
centers along a short corridor is "the ideal use case" for high-speed rail,
Mathews said, adding it "may be the best way to advance high-speed rail in
the United States."
https://www.smartcitiesdive.com/news/massachusetts-east-west-north-south-rai
l-moulton/649873/

 

Kevin Brubaker 
Deputy Director
Environmental Law & Policy Center 

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