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Murphy Visits U.S. DOT, Urges Evaluation of High-Speed Rail Corridor between Chicago and St. Louis


Cook County, IL–(ENEWSPF)– Cook County Board Commissioner Joan Patricia Murphy released a statement indicating that she has passed legislation urging U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and the Federal Railroad Administration to award $8.2 million to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) to conduct a feasibility study and evaluate a 220-mph high-speed rail corridor between Chicago and St. Louis. 

“As in Europe and Asia, the United States must have high-speed rail trains on their own dedicated tracks, powered by electricity, not shared or owned by freight lines, and capable of traveling 220-mph to connect our city centers together,” said Murphy.

The statement said Commissioner Murphy recently met with U.S. Department of Transportation officials in Washington, DC to build support for Illinois high-speed rail development.  “We need dedicated federal funding for high-speed intercity passenger rail service to make tomorrow’s transportation infrastructure more energy efficient, more environmentally sustainable and less reliant on foreign oil,” said Murphy. 

The Federal Railroad Administration has received 77 applications from 25 states for the most recent round of High-Speed Rail Intercity Passenger Rail grant funding totaling $8.5 billion.  Recipients of this funding will be announced in the fall of 2010, the statement said.

Commissioner Murphy serves the 6th County Board District which includes all or portions of the following 37 municipalities:  Alsip, Bedford Park, Bridgeview, Calumet City, Chicago Heights, Chicago Ridge,  Crestwood, Dolton, East Hazel Crest, Flossmoor, Ford Heights, Garden Homes, Glenwood, Hickory Hills, Homewood, Justice, Lansing, Lynwood, Matteson, Merrionette Park, Midlothian, Oak Forest, Oak Lawn, Orland Park, Palos Heights, Palos Hills, Park Forest, Richton Park, Sauk Village, South Chicago Heights, South Holland, Steger, Summit, Thornton, Tinley Park, University Park, and Worth.


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