The higher speed train route between the two cities, funded by the recession-era stimulus package, is capable of 90 to 110 mph, but is stuck at 78.
The massive project to upgrade train speeds between Chicago and St. Louis is mostly complete, but the 110 mph speeds have yet to be achieved. "Delays in installing and testing new GPS-related safety technology have kept Amtrak trains from hitting high speeds of 90 mph during 2018 as the Illinois Department of Transportation had predicted," Mark Schlinkmann reports for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Worse still, Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) is no longer targeting the 110 mph speeds the project aimed for when the project began.
The Positive Train Control (PTC) requirements that Congress imposed after the projects inception are not fully tested on the Union Pacific-owned crossings, meaning trains currently cannot move above 79 miles per hour. "Union Pacific spokeswoman Hannah Bolte said her railroad is '100 percent committed' to doing what's necessary to achieve 110 on the route," Schlinkmann writes. In the meantime, IDOT anticipates trains will not reach 90 mph top speeds until summer this year.
FULL STORY: Amtrak riders between St. Louis and Chicago are still waiting for 90 and 110 mph speeds
Higher Speeds from St. Louis to Chicago Delayed Again for Amtrak
Long awaited improvements on the Amtrak route between Chicago and St. Louis are being delayed again, this time because of trouble installing positive train control (PTC).
Chicago-St. Louis Corridor Trains Cleared for 110-mph Speeds
Amtrak has final federal approval for train speeds of 110 miles per hour between Joliet and Alton, culminating almost ten years of planning and investing.
Amtrak Hits New Top Speeds Between St. Louis and Chicago
A project that won funding from federal stimulus programs during the Obama administration is finally paying off on the Amtrak route between Chicago and St. Louis.
Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?
Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing
A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.
Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire
Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.
LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles
LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions