WASHINGTON — U.S. Transportation secretary Ray LaHood awarded more than $186 million today to Illinois for a high-speed passenger rail project. LaHood said part of the money will be used to raise train speeds between Chicago and St. Louis to 110 miles-an-hour. Some of that track work is under way. Earlier, LaHood awarded a grant to a group of Midwest states, including Illinois and Missouri, to buy new high-speed locomotives and passenger cars. Missouri plans to use the new train sets to increase train speeds and increase the number of passenger trains running between St. Louis and Kansas City. The Kansas Department of Transportation has been studying options for expanding passenger rail service, especially extending a route from Oklahoma City to Newton to connect to the Southwest Flyer.
Thursday, Jan. 5, 4 p.m.
