IDOT Statement on High-Speed Rail Milestone

CHICAGO – Illinois Transportation Secretary Ann L. Schneider issued the following statement regarding Illinois railcar manufacturer Nippon-Sharyo / Sumitomo, the intended awardee on a $352 million, multi-state procurement for construction of new passenger railcars. Caltrans, the lead agency on the procurement, has issued a Notice of Intent to Award the railcar contract to Rochelle, Ill.-based Nippon-Sharyo for the construction of 130, bi-level passenger railcars designed to better accommodate passengers and high-speed rail.

“Today marks a historic beginning to increased rail equipment manufacturing, assembly and production in Illinois as we move forward on high-speed rail and passenger service upgrades across the state,” Governor Pat Quinn said. “It is good news for Illinois that the intent to award has gone to Illinois-based manufacturing company Nippon-Sharyo. These state-of-the-art passenger railcars will help Illinois and other states across the nation provide faster, safer and more convenient train service to millions of daily travelers, as well as support hundreds of Illinois jobs.”

“We congratulate Nippon-Sharyo for submitting a competitive bid on this unprecedented, multi-state procurement of 130 premium, bi-level passenger railcars, which will be essential to addressing ever-increasing transportation needs of the 21st Century,” Secretary Schneider said. “Without Governor Quinn’s leadership and millions invested through the Illinois Jobs Now! capital program, expansion of the railcar industry production in Illinois and the support of hundreds of railcar assembling jobs would not have been possible.”

“We commend the successful collaboration of Caltran and the Midwest Coalition in reaching this historic milestone, and allowing high-speed rail and passenger service upgrade plans to move full-steam ahead,” Schneider added.