POSITIVE EDITORIAL COMMENT REGARDING THE EASTERN IOWA DEMONSTRATION TRAIN

The Iowa City Press Citizen has published an editorial supporting a return of rail passenger service on the Cedar Rapids and Iowa City Railway line between Iowa City and Cedar Rapids.

On Saturday, August 25, 2007, some 2,000 persons road the CRANDIC on board cars from the Hawkeye Express.  Most on board seemed enthusiastic about the opportunity to ride a passenger train and to learn about the possibility for a return of rail service in the the Interstate 380 corridor between Iowa City and Cedar Rapids.

Studies indicate that it will take about $400 million dollars to add one lane in each direction to Interstate 380.  Rehabilitating the CRANDIC line, including signals and track upgrades, between Iowa City and Cedar Rapids so that rapid passenger service could be restored is estimated to cost about $70 million.