Friday Illinois US Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth, and Moline Congresswoman Cheri Bustos, sent a letter to the Illinois DOT and Iowa Interstate Railroad, urging them to reach an agreement.
Without an agreement on possible track upgrades and the cost, federal funding for the project could be lost.
In the letter, the three "express our strong concerns about the lack of progress," and refer to "years of unnecessary delays."
Federal funding was initially secured in 2010, with passenger service to begin in 2014. Since then, state money has also been promised for the Quad Cities-Chicago route.
The three say it's far past time for the Illinois DOT and Iowa Interstate to reach agreement, and they'll provide whatever help they can to advance this project.
In late January, WVIK News Editor, Michelle O'Neill, received the following answer to her request for an update from the Illinois DOT about passenger rail between Chicago and the Quad Cities:
The Illinois Department of Transportation is still in negotiations with the Iowa Interstate Railroad and there is nothing new to report on at this time. As this project progress, we are committed to keeping you informed of our progress. Public involvement will be an ongoing process through completion.Illinois Passenger Rail Chicago to Quad Cities Project Team
