SPRINGFIELD - Amtrak riders on the route between Chicago and St. Louis could get to their destinations a bit faster under a plan announced by federal officials this week. | Good news: Gas prices falling in Central Illinois | Find the best local gas prices

As the number of people taking trains continues to rise, the U.S. Department of Transportation said it will dole out nearly $30 million for 15 passenger rail projects across the country, including two in Illinois that could reduce trip times along the Chicago-St. Louis corridor by 24 minutes.

The actual time savings, however, will depend on whether the trains continue to get slowed down by freight trains that also ply the route.

The two federal grants headed to Illinois are worth $3.4 million. Illinois taxpayers also will chip in $3.4 million for the projects, which include new technology aimed at alerting Amtrak operators to oncoming freight traffic between Springfield and Joliet.

The new system will also alert engineers if vehicles are blocking tracks or if gates and warning lights are operating properly.

The update will eventually allow train speeds to increase to 110 miles per hour from 79 miles per hour on 120 miles of the Chicago-St. Louis corridor.

"This is an essential part of that plan," said Amtrak spokesman Marc Magliari.

The grants do not cover Amtrak service on other Illinois routes, where trains remain limited to a top speed of 79 mph.

Amtrak operates five round-trips daily between Chicago and St. Louis, with stops in Dwight, Pontiac, Normal, Lincoln and Springfield. Ridership is up about 15 percent this year.

The improvements come as Illinois officials continue to push for better on-time performance by Amtrak. Although ridership is up, the trains are achieving on time just 44 percent of the time.

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois wants to see that number reach at least 85 percent.

U.S. Rep. Jerry Costello, a senior member of the House Railroads Subcommittee, said Amtrak is an important transportation option during these times of high gas prices.

"Train service is particularly important in southern Illinois, where it is a critical tool for economic development and our students and universities depend on it," the Belleville Democrat said.