IL SR0329

Illinois Department of Transportation included a potential east-west rail corridor in its multi-year plan connecting Moline/Rock Island to Danville via Galesburg, Peoria, Bloomington/Normal, and Champaign/Urbana.

IDOT requested that Amtrak conduct a feasibility study analyzing ridership, capital costs, and operating costs for the proposed route, with service planned at two round-trips per day and connections to Chicago-St. Louis, Carbondale, and Quincy corridors.

The feasibility study should include requirements and cost estimates for service facilities at each end of the corridor.

Amtrak should include in the proposal a study of an express bus service similar to California's Thruway service, with single-ticketing capability at Normal connecting to Chicago-St. Louis trains and analysis of self-sufficient ticket pricing.

The express bus service would serve as a potential precursor to actual train service, with Amtrak expected to begin the study in summer 2013.