Section 810.10  Scope

The Illinois Department of Transportation (the Department) has the power to enter into agreements to loan or grant Federal and/or state funds to any railroad, unit of local government rail user, or owner or lessee of a railroad right-of-way to rehabilitate, improve or construct rail facilities.  The Department also has the power to grant or loan funds to any rail users located on an abandoned line, to a unit of local government, or to an owner or lessee of an abandoned railroad right-of-way to undertake substitute service projects. (Section 49.25g of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1987, ch. 127, par. 49.25g))  The purposes of the program are to preserve private sector rail service on freight lines and to promote economic development through the retention and development of rail-dependent industry.  The program is administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation, Bureau of Railroads.  This Part contains the Illinois Department of Transportation's requirements for Local Rail Service Assistance projects and for the management and administration of the projects funded under this program.