Durbin, Duckworth, Quigley, Davis Announce More Than $696 Million For Amtrak Upgrades In Chicago

Durbin, Duckworth, Quigley, Davis Announce More Than $696 Million For Amtrak Upgrades In Chicago

The $696 million in grant funding will support the Midwest Maintenance Facilities Modernization; the Chicago Rail Bridge Renewal; and the South Branch Bridge Rehabilitation

CHICAGO - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and U.S. Representatives Mike Quigley (D-IL-05) and Danny Davis (D-IL-07) today announced that the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has awarded $696,250,000 in federal funding to Amtrak projects based in Chicago. One of the three projects receiving funding-the South Bridge Rehabilitation-is part of the Chicago Hub Improvement project (CHIP), a multi-phased project to revitalize Chicago Union Station and its surrounding infrastructure, as well as revolutionize Midwest passenger rail.

The funding was awarded through the Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail (Fed-State) grant program, which supports capital projects that repair, improve, or expand intercity passenger rail service.

"Our state's top-notch rail system keeps our economy moving while allowing Illinoisans to travel from Chicago to Carbondale. This latest federal investment into Chicago's Amtrak facilities and infrastructure reflects the city's status as a thriving transportation hub," Durbin said. "I look forward to seeing this funding turn into concrete improvements to our rail infrastructure, and in turn, delivering an even better experience to Amtrak riders."

"Investments in our rail infrastructure are investments in our economy, making sure our rail network is safer, faster and more efficient for people and goods to get where they need to go," said Duckworth. "This funding will help support critical upgrades to our rail infrastructure and strengthen our city's role as a national hub for Amtrak. I will continue working alongside Senator Durbin, Congressman Quigley, Amtrak leadership and our local leaders to ensure our communities have the support they need to modernize our rail network, improve reliability and keep trains moving safely and efficiently for generations to come."

"Safe, affordable, and accessible rail travel is critical to the success of Chicago and the Illinois region. This grant will make improvements and repairs that will modernize passenger rail service in our area for the millions of people who utilize these services. I have talked about the dangers of disrepair in our rail system for many years, and I have particularly called out the damaged bridges in the region that are long past the need for repair. I am pleased that this grant will help address these issues and improve access to safe and efficient rail services for Chicagoland residents for many years to come. I will continue working with my colleagues in the House and Senate to bring home more funding to achieve these goals," said Quigley.

"The 7th District has long felt the impact of aging infrastructure, and our residents deserve a rail system that is safe, reliable, and built to last. This funding is not just an investment in steel and concrete - it is an investment in the working families who depend on Amtrak to get to their jobs, their schools, and their loved ones every day. I am proud to have fought alongside my colleagues to secure these resources, and I will keep pushing to ensure Chicago's West Side and communities across our region benefit from the good-paying jobs and safer travel this project will bring," said Davis.

The three Amtrak projects receiving a portion of the announced $696,250,000 are:

1. Midwest Maintenance Facilities Modernization P3 ($572,000,000). The proposed project was selected for Right of Way Acquisition and includes activities to improve efficiency and safety at Amtrak's Chicago-area Midwest Maintenance Facilities by relocating certain maintenance facilities from Amtrak's 14th St. Yard to the to-be-acquired Canal St. Yard to support ongoing operations. The project will improve service and system performance because it will provide a modern, efficient maintenance and inspection facility and increase the ability to meet anticipated demand. The project will benefit Blue Water, Borealis, Hiawatha, Illini/Saluki, Illinois Zephyr, Lincoln, Pere Marquette, Wolverine routes.
2. Chicago Rail Bridge Renewal P3 ($87,000,000). The proposed project was selected for Project Development, Final Design, and Construction to rehabilitate or replace approximately 17 aging viaducts, bridges, and ancillary structures at Chicago's Canal Street Yard as part of Amtrak's Chicago Rail Bridge Renewal P3 Project. The project will enhance safety and improve system and service performance because it will correct critical structural deficiencies and eliminate hazards for rail operations, drivers, and pedestrians. The project will benefit Blue Water, Borealis, Hiawatha, Illini/Saluki, Illinois Zephyr, Lincoln, Pere Marquette, Wolverine routes.
3. South Branch Bridge Rehabilitation ($37,250,000). The proposed project will rehabilitate the existing South Branch Bridge and Project Development activities for a future bridge replacement. Activities will support the immediate state of good repair including the replacement of missing fasteners, defective hardware, and replacement parts to balance, support machinery and plan for a future replacement. The project will enhance safety and increase reliability by bringing the over-110-year-old South Branch Bridge into a state of good repair. The project will benefit Amtrak's Blue Water, Lincoln, Pere Marquette, River Runner, and Wolverine routes.

In 2023, Durbin and Duckworth announced $93.6 million in secured federal funding for CHIP through the U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) Federal-State Partnerships for Intercity Passenger Rail grant program, which received funding through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

Durbin worked to bring parties together-local officials, the State, Amtrak, and other stakeholders including labor, environmental groups, and businesses-to ensure there was a unified push for the project. In September 2023, Durbin, Duckworth, and Quigley (D-IL-05) led 29 Midwest colleagues in a bipartisan, bicameral letter to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Federal Railroad Administration Administrator Amit Bose expressing their support for Amtrak's Fed-State grant application for CHIP.

In May 2025, Durbin raised the issue of CHIP funding with Transportation Secretary Duffy, urging the DOT to obligate the remaining funds for the $93.6 million grant awarded in 2023. The Members also sent a letter of support to Secretary Duffy for this round of Fed-State grant applications.

Durbin, Duckworth, Quigley, and Davis will continue to build upon previous investments in the CHIP and lead stakeholders in advocating to advance the improvement of Chicago Union Station, cementing its critical importance to both Illinois and the Midwest.

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