Streetcars: Old is New Again in Rockford

Posted by: Tim Halbur

14 December 2009 - 11:00am

Rockford, Illinois used to have a system of streetcars, interurban rail and long-distance passenger trains like many cities. Planners now say the time is right to consider rebuilding.

"With talk of Amtrak returning to Rockford by 2012 and commuter rail possible after that, streetcars could be an invaluable part of transportation systems.

'If someone gets dropped off at a downtown train station, how do they get from that train station to their ultimate destination?' [Mayor Larry]Morrissey said. 'If it worked before everybody had an automobile, maybe it’ll work for us again.'"

Full Story: Streetcars on Rockford's mind

Source: Rockford Register Star, December 12, 2009