LATEST NEWS:
November 20, 2014
Huntley began architectural and engineering work on their station, scheduled to open November 30, 2015.24
September 11, 2014
While service is scheduled to start between Chicago and Rockford in 2015, negotiations are on hold by IDOT for service continuing from Rockford through Dubuque pending funding availability.23
July 15, 2014
Daily roundtrip train service from Chicago through Rockford to begin 2015. Two daily roundtrips to begin 2016. New permanent Rockford train station site at Cedar Street to be used; temporary 7th street Station nixed.22
July 3, 2014
Belvidere station plans nearly complete. Construction to start 2014 and finish 2015.21
May 20, 2014
Work has started on the Dubuque Intermodal Transportation Center. However, funding for the train platforms and services is pending. Service to Dubuque requires successful negotiations with CN.20
April 10, 2014
Illinois Governor Quinn and Union Pacific Railroad COO Lance Fritz announce a deal to run service over the originally proposed "Route A" after failed negotiations with Canadian National. Construction starts this season.19
March 26, 2013
IDOT secretary Ann Schneider has indicated that rail upgrades to the CN railroad have "stalled" but said "progress was being made". Design of the Rockford Main Street station begins in 30 days.18
December 31, 2012
Canadian National (CN), owner of the railroad, did not concur with conclusions of the 2010 updated service study and is completing its own "independent capacity analysis".17
November 1, 2012
Nearly a year after negotiations began, IL Dept of Transportation officials are still negotiating with Canadian National (CN), owner of the railroad, and hope to come to a finalized agreement this winter.16
September 27, 2012
New rail cars for the Black Hawk service will be manufactured only 24 miles from the new route at a plant in Rochelle, IL.15
May 18, 2012
Illinois DOT confirms the route will be called the "Black Hawk". Canadian National's cost analysis study is now due in August 2012.14
May 11, 2012
The Illinois EPA has given $1 million to the City of Rockford to conduct additional demolition and clean up the land which will be used for the Rockford Main Street station.13
April 20, 2012
A $551 million RFP (request for proposals) was released by the Federal Railroad Administration for rail cars across several states. $20 million worth of equipment from that order will go towards equipment for the Amtrak Black Hawk route. The bi-level equipment will have a 125mph capability.12
February 9, 2012
An additional $1.95 million in funding is announced through a federal grant to go towards the construction of the Rockford Main Street station.11
January 17, 2012
$3 million in funding is announced by the State of Illinois to go towards the construction of the Rockford Main Street station. Construction is set to begin this year for that station.10
December 10, 2011
Canadian National's (CN) infrastructure cost study is due in May 2012. Illinois transportation officials are negotiating with CN to run multiple trains a day with the new equipment. Significant improvements to the proposed schedule are anticipated.9
October 13, 2011
It was announced that $8 million in federal funding for the Dubuque Intermodal Transportation Center was awarded. The intermodal facility will serve as the western route terminus station of the restored line.8
September 24, 2011
10,000 feet of sidings are being designed by Canadian National (CN) to allow passenger service on the route. Sidings will be installed in Genoa, Colvin Park, Seward, Scales Mound and Burlington.7
July 23, 2011
It was announced that Canadian National (CN) will begin construction planning on Sep 1, 2011 for the route. Also nearly $34 million may be available from the State of Illinois for construction of various Illinois stations on the route.6
May 11, 2011
Part of a $268 million federal fund is allocated for
equipment purchases on the future Black Hawk route.5
April 14, 2011
Rockford demolishes old Amtrak station to make way for new
station to service the new line.4
April 7, 2011
Amtrak Black Hawk status website launches. Site is first to
provide detailed route map and consolidated information to
the public.
December 10, 2010
Illinois Department of Transportation picks 'Route C' for
line, citing ridership estimates, revenue and safety.3
November 15, 2010
Illinois Department of Transportation provides review and
update of feasibility study recommending "Route C".2
June 22, 2007
Revised feasibility study on proposed
Chicago-Rockford-Galena-Dubuque route by Amtrak released.1