U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis (R-IL) late last week praised the agreement reached between Springfield, Sangamon County and Gov. Bruce Rauner that will allow for the completion of an Illinois high-speed rail project and establish a pathway to move rail traffic from Third Street to 10th Street.
“Today’s agreement is a major step forward for Springfield, and it’s one that would not have been possible without the hard work of Governor Rauner, Chairman (Andy) Van Meter, Mayor (Jim) Langfelder, and the many state and local officials who have worked tirelessly over the years to make this day possible,” Davis said. “Their leadership and willingness to work together will help advance Illinois’ high-speed rail project, and I will continue to do whatever I can to ensure support from the federal government is there to complete this important project.”
In June, Davis sent a letter to U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx in support of Springfield’s TIGER grant application.
In part, it said, “The TIGER grant funds will be for Usable Segment II, the project’s next step for double-tracking the Chicago-St. Louis corridor.”
Davis supported efforts to secure federal dollars to help complete these projects, which will spur greater economic development within the Springfield area.