Among the items discussed was a request from the governor that all
the communities sign a "Memorandum of Understanding." This would be
necessary for the state's request for federal funding of the
project.
Snyder said that the memorandum must be signed immediately and
returned to the governor by the end of this week.
He said that Bates has looked at the memorandum and has
questioned the language. Bates said that the language could be read
to indicate that the cities involved would have to contribute money
to the projects.
However, Snyder said that the city attorney for Normal reads the
same document as saying that the cities have the option to invest
money in the project at their own discretion.
Alderwoman Marty Neitzel asked what the benefit of high-speed
rail would be to the city of Lincoln.
Snyder said that there has been concern that Pontiac and Lincoln
would be cut out, but the governor has said that will not happen.
He also noted that approximately 19,000 people board the Amtrak
in Lincoln each year and that it is important to college students
and family members of individuals incarcerated in local prisons as
well as local business people.
However, with the high-speed rail, additional express trains that
will not stop in town may be added to the schedule. But he added
that not all the trains stop now.
The mayor said that this route will not be part of the bullet
train route. The trains that come through Lincoln now average a
speed of 75 mph, while the high-speed rail that will come through
this area will mean trains traveling at speeds of around 110 mph.
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The mayor also noted that it has been written into the program that
even these faster trains will still have to maintain city speed
limits. Therefore, as the train passes through town, folks will
notice no difference in the speed.
There is a bullet train proposal for Illinois, but it would
involve a line running from Chicago to Champaign to St. Louis. The
bullet train travels at a speed of approximately 200 mph.
Another issue involved in the high-speed rail is crossing safety.
Snyder said that because the trains will have to observe city speed
limits, it shouldn't be that much of an issue in town. However, it
will be a concern in rural areas. As such, the state is looking at
installing full-width drop-gate-style crossing guards in rural
areas.
Snyder also noted that as freight traffic increases, there may
also be a need to go to double track on this route.
Currently the federal stimulus package holds $8 billion for
high-speed rail, and thus far the government has received $102
billion in requests from 40 states.
Snyder closed by saying that if there were no objections, he
would like to go ahead and sign the memorandum and get it sent off.
No one spoke up, so the matter was settled.
[By NILA SMITH]
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