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U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood, who represents the 14th District of Illinois, has proposed $1.2 million in federal funding to support efforts to extend the Metra Union Pacific West Line from Elburn to DeKalb.
According to the Daily Herald, the proposal is part of Underwood's Community Project Funding requests for her district.
Here's what to know:
The project: If approved, the $1.2 million would help DeKalb plan for and fund various analyses needed to make the rail extension between the two communities a reality.
A study is already underway: The DeKalb City Council recently approved a planning and environmental study for the UP rail corridor between Elburn and DeKalb, funded by a $400,000 IDOT grant and $100,000 in local money. That study will focus on potential safety, environmental, and economic impacts.
Ridership demand: DeKalb's Route 12 bus, which currently connects riders to the Elburn Metra station, has grown significantly busier in recent years.
According to Underwood’s office, there’s been no passenger rail service in DeKalb since 1971.
This type of project has been talked about for years, but this is perhaps the most concrete federal support that has emerged for the effort.
Read more in this Daily Herald article.
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