Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Sangamon County board chairman Andy Van Meter were the first to autograph the first of several “final beams” which will help finish the new transportation hub downtown. The ceremony was Thursday at the Sangamon County Complex.

Durbin’s been thinking about rail consolidation for more than fifty years.

“I came to this town in 1969, fresh out of law school,” Durbin said, “and I remember the early debates on railroad relocation, and many people – particularly those living on the east side – were upset with the idea of it being more trains in their neighborhoods.

“When I sat down in 1983 or 84 with (then mayor) Mike Houston, I thought, we’ve got to take one segment and see if we can do something. The Wabash Avenue train track was what we focused on.”

There will be more opportunities for members of the public to sign beams.