St. Louis (KSDK) — An estimated 900 jobs will be generated from the construction of the high-speed rail route from St. Louis to Chicago.

Construction will begin in early September on a 90-mile segment that extends from just north of Alton to south of Springfield. It then resumes just north of Springfield to south of Lincoln. A study is currently being conducted to determine the best route through Springfield. Track upgrades will include the installation of new, high-speed rail and concrete ties.

Work could be completed as early as December 2010.

The improvements will allow passenger rail service from Chicago to St. Louis to operate at speeds up to 110 mph and include: new locomotives and passenger cars, rebuilding of track, additional signaling devices at grade crossings, and implementation of state-of-the-art signal technology.

The $98 million dollar project is funded through the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).
KSDK