Springfield signs agreement on high-speed rail

SPRINGFIELD — Springfield and Sangamon County officials have announced an agreement with the state on design work for consolidating train traffic through Illinois’ capital city. The effort is part of high-speed rail development.

The agreement made public Wednesday involves nearly $8.7 million to pay for half of the design work. The project would move rail traffic through the downtown core farther out to a corridor on the city’s east side.

The deal was signed by Illinois Department of Transportation Secretary Ann Schneider, Springfield Mayor Michael Houston and Sangamon County Board Chairman Andy Van Meter.

The project is part of the Chicago-to-St. Louis high-speed rail development. There is no current funding for train traffic consolidation.

The plan would include new track alignments and separating automobile and train traffic in spots.

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