DES MOINES, IOWA (AP) -- Gov. Chet Culver says he is pleased the Obama Administration will fund improvements for existing Amtrak service through southern Iowa.
In a statement received by KTVO News, U.S. Rep. Dave Loebsack announced $18,309,080 in Recovery Act funds for passenger rail. The Burlington Northern-Santa Fe railway in Ottumwa will receive $17,309,080 for track construction. The Chicago to Omaha passenger rail planning study project will receive $1,000,000.
In a statement Thursday, Culver expressed his disappointment that applications for proposed new routes from Iowa City to Chicago and Dubuque to Chicago did not receive funding. Culver says the $18 million in high-speed passenger rail grants Iowa will receive will allow state officials to study passenger rail expansion through central Iowa.
Culver says the Chicago to Iowa City and the Chicago to Dubuque proposals are sound projects that will help Iowa residents. He says with the work already done, the state will be competitive for future rounds of funding.
The White House is announcing $8 billion in grants for 13 rail corridors in 31 states.
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