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.
Amtrak trains traveling between St. Louis and Chicago can now reach speeds of 90 miles per hour, thanks to new brakes installed after three years of delays.
According to an article reporting the news by Mark Schlinkmann for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the new top speeds are one step closer to a final goal of top speeds of 110 miles per hour, which is expected in another year and half. The new top speed trims 15 minutes off the 284-mile journey.
The new top speeds were delayed after the 2017 completion date due to a "longer-than-expected process of installing and testing new GPS-related safety technology — called positive train control," adds Schlinkmann.
"The changes are part of a $1.95 billion upgrade of the St. Louis-Chicago corridor that was mostly finished in 2017," according to Schlinkmann. "The project, largely funded by federal economic stimulus dollars allotted under then-President Barack Obama, included new rails and concrete ties, new Amtrak stations in Alton and elsewhere and improved crossing gates to keep vehicles from weaving around crossing bars."
Planetizen picked up the news of the high speed rail funding that included the Chicago-to-St. Louis improvements in 2010.
FULL STORY: Trains on Amtrak’s St. Louis-Chicago route now running at up to 90 mph
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.
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 to St. Louis Amtrak Still Not Up to Speed
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.
Norman, Oklahoma Eliminates Parking Mandates
The city made a subtle, one-word change that frees up developers to build parking based on actual need and eliminates costly unnecessary parking.
Boston Transit Riders Report Safety Concerns
Almost three-quarters of current and former riders report feeling unsafe while using MBTA services.
Boston to Begin Zoning Code Update, Mayor Announces
It’s been nearly 60 years, but the city of Boston is finally ready to do a comprehensive rewrite of its zoning code.
California Air Regulators to Crack Down on Warehouses
Truck traffic to and from Southern California warehouses accounts for as much pollution as refineries, power plants, and other industrial polluters combined.
FEMA Climate Resilience Loans Target Small Communities
A new loan program reduces the bureaucratic hurdles to implementing small-scale climate adaptation projects.
D.C. Delays Bus Lane Enforcement
The program using cameras to ticket drivers who block bus lanes was scheduled to begin this week.
City of Stonecrest
City of Grand Junction Police Department
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Washington University
Mpact: Mobility, Community, Possibility
National Capital Planning Commission
City of Culver City
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.
