After years on hold, the much-desired passenger rail network between Chicago and the Quad Cities is under way. As a subconsultant to Quandel Consultants, R.M. Chin & Associates, Inc. (R.M. Chin) is providing Program Management support to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) Bureau of Passenger Rail Corridor Management for the Chicago to Quad Cities Rail Project.
Originally part of the Rock Island Railroad network, passenger service between Chicago and the Quad Cities ceased in 1978. Therefore, the re-introduction of this rail corridor is a key element for improving connectivity between these two major Midwest hubs. Once complete, this service route will connect Chicago to the Quad Cities via two rail lines, BNSF and Amtrak. The proposed service will begin at Chicago Union Station and terminate at the new Moline Multimodal Station. Other intermediate locations will include La Grange, Naperville, Plano, Mendota, and Princeton.
One component of the project is the reconfiguration and expansion of the BNSF Railway Company (BNSF) Eola Rail Yard between Aurora and Naperville. R.M. Chin Construction Inspector Faheem Hussain recently oversaw the inspection of the new railroad reconfigurations at the Eola Rail Yard, which included new track, switches, and signals. R.M. Chin additionally provided inspection of the detention ponds, culverts, storm sewer system, pavement, and access roads and will soon be tasked with overseeing the track rehabilitation effort along the Iowa Interstate Railroad Mainline between Moline (near MP 180) and Wyanet (near MP 129).
“R.M. Chin recognizes the importance of improved passenger transportation from Chicago to Quad Cities. We’re proud to be on the Quandel team, led by Principal and Chief Engineer Bob Moore, PE, and appreciate the opportunity to grow our expertise in this sector,” said R.M. Chin President Eileen Chin.
IDOT serves as the lead agency for this project and is working in partnership with the Federal Railroad Administration. Additional project partners include Amtrak, BNSF, Iowa Interstate Railroad Ltd., Illinois Commerce Commission, and key representatives from cities and communities in the corridor path.
About R.M. Chin:
R.M. Chin & Associates, Inc. (R.M. Chin), a M/W/DBE firm, provides expert Owner’s Representation, Project/Program, and Construction Management services for leading public and private entities in the transportation, aviation, and buildings sectors.
