MOLINE, Ill — Are you ready to hear ALL ABOARD! in Downtown Moline? It looks like the money is there to build a train route between Chicago and the Quad Cities.
Here's why:
On Friday, Nov. 5, Congress passed a $1.2 trillion infrastructure package. In it is $66 billion dollars for Amtrak. Amtrak said it plans to use the money to push forward its 15-year strategy, called Amtrak Connects Us, to expand rail service for up to 160 new communities. One of those projects (Page 47 of the Amtrak Connects Us Report) is a passenger rail line between Chicago and Iowa City - with a stop in Moline in the middle!
Here's the kicker:
Again, it's a 15-year strategy, which means Amtrak has until 2036 to make this happen. Hey, we've waited this long, right?!
When it does happen, the Moline stop will be at The Q - an old warehouse that was renovated in 2017. It's already connected to the Element Hotel and holds Urban Farmhouse, a gift shop and COMING SOON - Pour Bros., a pour-your-own craft taproom.
