Commercial Hauling of Materials

Commercial Hauling of Materials can be done by HS-rail, which will lower the cost of transporting goods by slow truck and freight trains.

In addition, the HSR project is coupled with the National Gateway Project that will improve route access to more locations in the eastern half of the USA.

Following is a notice from Amtrak that shows one of the benefits to the Commercial Hauling industry. The Union Pacific railroad is used by both Amtrak and commercial hauling, as is most of the track in the USA, therefore, if Amtrak is upgrading the track or funding the upgrading, then the commercial for-profit enterprises are benefiting.

Illinois High-Speed Rail Construction

Illinois High-Speed Rail Construction Affects Service between Chicago and St. Louis

Illinois High-Speed Rail Construction Continues through the Summer 2012

Starting June 16, 2012, the Illinois Department of Transportation (Illinois DOT) and Union Pacific Railroad will begin the final phase of 2012 upgrades to Illinois signature Chicago - St. Louis high-speed rail route for future high-speed Amtrak trains. This is the last scheduled year of large-scale construction that will result in substitute motorcoach transportation on this corridor.

During construction, chartered motorcoaches and connecting Amtrak train service will be provided for Lincoln Service (Trains 300-307) and Texas Eagle (Trains 21/321/421 and 22/322/422) passengers at stations between St. Louis and Chicago. The chartered motorcoaches will not operate on the same schedules as the Lincoln Service and Texas Eagle. Up-to-date train and motorcoach schedules are available on Amtrak.com, our free iPhone app and at 1-800-USA-RAIL (1-800-872-7245).

The temporary changes will allow Union Pacific to improve the tracks to enable the Lincoln Service trains to travel at speeds up to 110 mph (177 kph), an increase from the current maximum of 79 mph (127 kph). In addition to allowing trains to travel at a higher rate of speed, the improvements will provide a more comfortable ride and shorter trip times.

Illinois DOT and Amtrak are planning to preview higher speed trains in September 2012 between Dwight and Pontiac. For information about other exciting improvements that will be brought to this corridor, visit the Official Illinois High-Speed Rail website, www.idothsr.org and Facebook page, facebook.com/IllinoisHighSpeedRail or call 1-855-IDOT-HSR (1-855-436-8477) for questions or comments about the project.

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PSN 0612-91