Chicago-Quad Cities passenger rail service will pass through La Salle and Bureau Counties

The announcement of an Amtrak line between the Quad Cities and Chicago will have local impact.

The new line will have stops in Mendota and Princeton and will travel along Interstate 80 to Geneseo and eventually into Moline.  While an Amtrak line is already in place through the area, the track will probably be upgraded.

Work on rail lines means cash for local economies according to IDOT Spokesman Josh Kauffman.

The new Amtrak line should be ready by 2014.  Kauffman says actual construction will start next year.

The state has worked out agreements with Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railroad from Chicago to Wyanet and Iowa Interstate Railroad from Wyanet to Moline.