SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (KMOX) — Engineering studies and designs for a section of the Chicago-St. Louis high-speed rail line will set back Illinois by $8.6 million.

The high-speed rail-line runs through the state capital and will travel at the high speed of 110 mph. The first trains will begin between the cities of Dwight and Pontiac in September.

A  key issue at the center of this project is the line’s route through Springfield. However, Illinois has set aside the $8.6 million needed to construct the rail-line, and has attained preliminary environmental approval; in turn boosting the chances of resolving the key dispute.

An early proposal was opposed by local officials, because they felt the rail-line would cause disruption to the business downtown and to the medical district.

Instead, an alternative route that would consolidate rail traffic along the city’s 10th Street is what local officials favor.

If the alternative route is chosen the new state funding would help make it a reality.

Funding comes from Gov. Pat Quinn’s Illinois Jobs Now program.

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