 Gov. Pat Quinn joined Illinois legislators in Alton to usher in the
era of bullet trains -- so-called for their ability to travel at speeds
of up to 110 mph. He called the project an economic boon in a region
that has had a rougher time during this recession.
"Investing in (the rail system) can help with our transportation,
getting people to and from where they want to go, and do it in a way
that is positive for the environment, that reduces emissions and
creates good-paying jobs right here in Illinois," Quinn said.
The state has attracted a great deal of investment in the short
term because of the stimulus package. The federal Department of
Transportation pledged $1.1 billion to upgrade the rail line from
Chicago to St. Louis.
 Quinn said passengers will notice the
difference -- it will shave about two hours off the trip.
More important for the self-described "jobs governor," who faces a
tough November contest against Bloomington Sen. Bill Brady, the
project means putting people back to work. The Metro East region
where Alton is located has seen 2,600 blue-collar jobs lost in the
past year, according to the latest statistics from the Illinois
Department of Employment Security.
Its 10.7 percent unemployment rate is slightly higher than the state
average. When the project breaks ground, it is expected to create
about 900 jobs in construction and increased efficiency.
"This is all about jobs," Quinn said "We've got to summon the energy
of our workers. ... They're second to none."
The project is estimated to create about 24,000 jobs statewide when
all is said and done.
There are some, including Kristina Rasmussen of the Illinois Policy
Institute, who say the project will bring temporary relief to an
imaginary problem, only to bring about headaches later.
"Every job that is financed by the federal government is being
financed by borrowed money that we are going to have to pay back
later," she said. "The problem is the demand for modern railroads is
not there, and taxpayers will have to pay for operating costs and
expenses down the road."
Quinn, however, is confident that faster railways and increased
amenities will mean eager passengers.
"This is going to improve the passenger ridership from about half a
million people ... to about four times that amount," he said. "More
people will be taking this train because it is quicker, and hopefully
they'll have high-speed Internet, so they can do work ... or whatever
they want."
[to top of second column] |
High-speed Internet or not, Rasmussen remains unconvinced of the ridership figures.
When the Illinois Policy Institute conducted its own analysis of
regional high-speed rail last year, the study estimated that the
average Illinoisan will travel on the rails about once every 8.7
years. This would mean that for every monthly St. Louis-to-Chicago commuter,
there would be 100 residents who will never ride the train.
"It does not cut time enough to convince people not to take a
flight," Rasmussen said.
The federal government will spend nearly $100 million in the opening
leg of the corridor, enhancing the rail line between Alton and
Lincoln. The project will then make its way to Chicago over the next two years.
[Illinois
Statehouse News; By BILL McMORRIS]
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