Passenger rail is the future of transportation and the time is now to secure a position for Dubuque, according to Chandra Ravada, of East Central Intergovernmental Association.
"If we miss this chance, it might not come back again," Ravada told the Dubuque City Council during an update on progress toward passenger rail connecting Chicago and Dubuque. "All the state needs is assurance we are behind this project."
Ravada and Assistant City Manager Teri Goodmann met with state officials in late February and brainstormed ways to meet a $550,000 annual operating subsidy. The Iowa Department of Transportation agreed to fund half, but it asked the city of Dubuque, Dubuque County and smaller cities in Dubuque County to commit to the other $275,000. The subsidy would begin in fiscal year 2014.
"With your help, we can prepare a business plan that shows broad support - not just philosophical support or enthusiasm - but a concrete plan to share in the costs of the operating subsidy," Tammy Nicholson, of the Iowa Department of Transportation, wrote in a letter to City Manager Mike Van Milligen and Dubuque County Board of Supervisors Chairman Wayne Demmer.
Last week, supervisors voted to fund 16.5 percent, or $90,750 annually. Dubuque will fund 25 percent, or $137,500. Asbury, Cascade, Dyersville, Epworth, Farley and Peosta are being asked to divvy the remaining $46,750 based on population.
The Dubuque City Council recently approved a plan to construct an intermodal facility with a passenger train platform in the Historic Millwork District.
