“All around the water tank, waiting for a train”

October 31st, 2007 at 02:26pm Thomas V. Bona

As reported earlier today,Amtrak saw big gains last year in Illinois ridership. But the route from Chicago through Rockford still isn’t on track. State officials continue battling over a capital plan that would presumably include the $32 million needed to upgrade the tracks to get the trains rolling. Amtrak officials say it would take two construction seasons to do the work, so at this point it looks like no trains before late 2009.

One thing to follow though - CN, which owns the rail line Amtrak would use, is buying the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern lines that loop around Chicago.

“CN said in its STB filing that the transaction would reduce rail traffic congestion in Chicago’s inner core and increase rail capacity for carriers operating in the city by dispersing CN trains along the EJ&E arc on the periphery of the Chicago metropolitan area. The public would also benefit from CN’s plan to spend approximately US$100 million to upgrade the EJ&EW’s infrastructure.”

If congestion is reduced in Chicagoland, it could shave cost or time off the Amtrak project. It would also benefit area businesses that use those busy freight tracks.

Of course, Amtrak talk is in the theoretical stage until Springfield approves the funds. In the words of Jimmie Rodgers, “If you’ve got money, I’ll see that you don’t walk.”

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