Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Reps. Rodney Davis (IL-13) and Darin LaHood (IL-18) today announced that the City of Springfield has received a $13,500,000 federal Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant, formerly known as BUILD and TIGER grants, from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). The grant is for the next phase of the Springfield Rail Project. Davis and LaHood voted for the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 (FY 2021 Appropriations Act), which was signed into law on December 27, 2020. The FY 2021 Appropriations Act appropriated $1 billion for this grant program.
Other supportive actions by Davis and LaHood include visiting the site numerous times to meet with stakeholders, sending a joint letter of support to U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg for the project in June of 2021, and continuing to advocate for the project since then. You can read their letter of support to Secretary Buttigieg here.
This project will construct Usable Segment III of the Springfield Rail Improvements Project. The project includes: a new underpass at Madison and Jefferson Streets, grading and trackwork from Capitol Avenue to Mason Street, and new grade crossing/pedestrian signals at Washington Street, Monroe Street, and Capitol Avenue. The proposed project is the third segment of the larger Springfield Rail Improvements Project to double-track a portion of the Chicago to St. Louis Union Pacific freight and Amtrak passenger corridor for 110-mph services and relocate the existing Amtrak/Union Pacific Railroad corridor to a new, expanded corridor adjacent to the existing Norfolk Southern tracks through Springfield.
“The Springfield Rail Improvements project generates jobs and economic opportunity in the greater Springfield community, and this award is another important step towards completing the project,” said Rep. LaHood. “Since being elected to Congress, I have been a strong advocate for the City of Springfield and this project along with Congressman Davis. This award will not only support job growth for the community, it will also enhance public safety and improve traffic flow in downtown Springfield.”
“This is another huge step towards the completion of the Springfield Rail Project. This multi-faceted infrastructure project will create jobs and make Springfield a better place to live," said Rep. Davis. "Passengers and commerce alike will benefit. Congressman LaHood and I have been strong advocates on behalf of the City in their pursuit of this grant. As a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I will continue to be an advocate for projects that are critical to the communities I serve. Thank you to Secretary Buttigieg and the Administration for recognizing the importance of investing in central Illinois' infrastructure. Congratulations to Chairman Van Meter, the County Board, Mayor Langfelder, the City Council, and the citizens of Springfield."
Related:
Davis, LaHood Announce $10M DOT Grant for Springfield Rail Improvement Project
Springfield to Receive $14.4 Million in Federal TIGER Grant Funds for Carpenter Street Underpass
