Federal officials have announced $157 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to complete the last segment of the Springfield Rail Improvements Project. This long-term initiative, supported by federal, state, and local partnerships, is designed to ease rail congestion in downtown Springfield by consolidating train traffic from Third Street to 10th Street and adding multiple overpasses and underpasses to improve traffic flow and safety.
"Connecting communities is at the heart of transportation, and today’s announced federal funding for a new Amtrak Station, rail improvements, and track realignment in Springfield will better connect passengers between St. Louis and Chicago," said Senator Dick Durbin. "The Springfield Rail Improvements Project is dramatically changing downtown Springfield by reducing rail congestion, creating jobs, and improving safety for passengers, drivers, and pedestrians. I will continue advocating for strong investments in Illinois’ transportation infrastructure."
Sangamon County Board Chair Andy Van Meter commended Durbin’s long-standing support and underscored the project’s broader significance, noting, “I want to extend our gratitude to our federal partners in Congress for their work in securing $157 million in federal funding for the Springfield Rail Improvements Project. And I want to particularly thank Senator Dick Durbin, who has spearheaded this project from the beginning. This investment underscores the power of bipartisan cooperation at every level and shows a shared commitment to the progress of Springfield and Sangamon County."
Van Meter emphasized that the final phase would bolster safety and economic growth, saying, "This project is about more than improving infrastructure—it’s about increasing safety, expanding economic opportunities, and connecting our community. With this final phase, we’re moving toward a safer, more efficient rail system that will ease congestion, link neighborhoods, and improve transportation access
This last phase will include building a new Amtrak Station, completing the track realignment to consolidate Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern rail corridors, and constructing a Multimodal Transportation Center. The center will connect intercity passenger rail with local and intercity bus services, creating more efficient travel options for residents and visitors between St. Louis and Chicago. Previous federal investments in the project, totaling nearly $90 million, helped fund earlier phases, including key underpasses and track improvements.
Representative Nikki Budzinski highlighted the impact on Springfield’s downtown and community. "The Springfield Rail Improvements Project is revitalizing our downtown by reconnecting our community, reducing rail noise, and enhancing public safety. It’s also creating good-paying union jobs along the way. I’m honored to join Senators Durbin and Duckworth to announce $157 million in federal funding to complete the final phase of this important work. This investment and the new 1908 Springfield Race Riot National Monument along the project’s route will honor our history and build a bright future for our city."
The Springfield Rail Improvements Project will enhance transportation access and economic development, boosting connectivity and quality of life for Springfield and Sangamon County.
