Washington, D.C. (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – Illinois’ two U.S. Senators say the federal government is allowing for the third phase of the ongoing improvements to railways around Springfield.

Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth, along with U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski (D-Springfield) announced Monday that the Department of Transportation has “fully obligated” funding for the final part of the Springfield Rail Improvements Project — totaling $157,126,494.

The money will allow for the building of a new Amtrak station, and consolidate downtown rail traffic to an area from 3rd Street to 10th Street, along with the construction of more rail overpasses.

The project was in danger of stalling, with that final phase of funding drying up. So you can’t miss the irony that Budzinski is a former employee of the Biden administration, yet the money finally came through under the current president.

“Hey, we’ll take it,” Budzinski told Capitol City Now before pivoting to credit Biden and also call the massive relocation a “legacy project” for the retiring Durbin.

“This $157 million federal investment in the Springfield Rail Improvements Project is a transformational moment for our city,” said Mayor Misty Buscher, in a news release from the federal lawmakers. “It not only brings us one step closer to completing the long-planned 10th Street rail consolidation, but it also allows us to move forward with building The Hub — a modern multimodal transportation center that will better connect our community and serve as a new gateway to our capital city. This project enhances safety, improves traffic flow, and strengthens access to jobs, services, and economic opportunities. I want to thank our federal partners and local stakeholders who have worked tirelessly to secure this critical funding and support the vision of a more connected and vibrant Springfield.”

Track-related work is also a part of the final phase of the project.

Durbin’s office claims before now, he’s helped secure $90 million in funding for the SRIP.  That includes the building of the Madison and Jefferson underpass, which opened last August.

It’s not clear when any construction would take place.