METRO Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Chicago to Quad-Cities rail service reaches milestone

The state of Illinois reached an agreement with the Iowa Interstate Railroad to design construction work on its part of the 162-mile route that will eventually link Chicago to the Quad-Cities — Davenport and Bettendorf, Iowa, and Rock Island, Moline and East Moline, Ill.

August 6, 2014
1 min to read


CHICAGO — The state of Illinois reached a "key milestone" in developing the passenger rail connection between Chicago and the Quad-Cities — Davenport and Bettendorf, Iowa, and Rock Island, Moline and East Moline, Ill., — by reaching an agreement with the Iowa Interstate Railroad to design construction work on its part of the 162-mile route, reported the Quad-City Times.

The state said the agreement will allow the railroad to begin designing the signal system and plan execution of track and tie improvements to allow passenger trains on a 53-mile stretch of track. In addition, it said that construction would begin in September on another part of the connection. For the full story, click here.

More Rail

An NJ TRANSIT River Line light rail vehicle.
Managementby Staff and News ReportsJuly 17, 2026

NJ TRANSIT Secures Capital Funding, Adopts FY2027 Budget

The budgets continue investments in infrastructure and equipment to maintain the system in a state of good repair and enhance the overall customer experience.

Read More →
A rider validating a tap payment on a Masabi validator.
Technologyby Staff and News ReportsJuly 17, 2026

Biz Briefs: Masabi Teams with St. Louis Metro and More

In METRO's latest installment, we take a look at recent news from Transdev, Hitachi, and more partnerships making headlines across the transportation sector.

Read More →
Two Metra locomotives on rail tracks.
Railby StaffJuly 16, 2026

Metra Begins Drone Pilot Project to Boost Safety and Security

The project is funded through a $620,000 grant from FEMA’s Transit Security Grant Program, which provides transit agencies with funding for projects intended to protect critical transportation infrastructure and the traveling public.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A rendering of ATP's light rail system in Pleasant Valley
Railby StaffJuly 16, 2026

Austin Transit Partnership Selects Stadler to Manufacture Light Rail Vehicles

The award marks the conclusion of a series of major procurements over 18 months, as outlined in ATP’s delivery plan, and keeps Austin Light Rail on track.

Read More →
A rendering of a child looking out the window of a light rail car with a city skyline in the background.
Railby Elora HaynesJuly 15, 2026

The Heart Behind Austin's Light Rail

Why Austin Transit Partnership's Operations and Maintenance Facility could become the most important building in the city's first light rail system.

Read More →
Crowd waiting for LA Metro bus
Managementby Staff and News ReportsJuly 15, 2026

June LA Metro Ridership Surges 2 Million Year Over Year

Total June ridership increased for both weekdays and weekends. Weekday ridership was 953,820, which grew 8.4% from June 2025; Saturdays increased nearly 13% year-over-year to 708,826; and Sundays increased 7.7% to 611,534 from June 2025, according to LA Metro. 

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A rendering of a passenger train for California's High-Speed Rail project.
Railby StaffJuly 7, 2026

Keolis and SNCF Voyageurs Bring Rail Expertise to California High-Speed Rail

The CDA establishes a collaborative predevelopment partnership intended to evaluate future delivery opportunities through public-private partnership models.

Read More →
Stadler's expanded Salt Lake City facility
Railby StaffJuly 3, 2026

Stadler Marks 10 Years in the U.S. with Salt Lake City Expansion

The expansion is expected to create up to 300 new local jobs, some of which are youth apprenticeships, said Stadler officials.

Read More →
A purple MBTA train at a Mansfield Station platform.
Railby StaffJune 30, 2026

MBTA Selects STV to Support Battery-Electric Locomotive Procurement

The firm's seven-year contract includes end-to-end support from bid review and selection through procurement, production, and testing.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
California Expands Public Transit Strategy
Technologyby StaffJune 29, 2026

Executive Order Aims to Improve Transit Access Across California

The order directs state agencies to streamline transit project delivery, improve coordination, and expand access to bus and passenger rail services across California.

Read More →