SPRINGFIELD, Ill. • A nearly $2 billion high-speed Amtrak rail project in Illinois is in its final phase of construction.

The Amtrak passenger service at speeds of up to 90 mph (145 kph) should begin in the summer, The State Journal-Register reported. The Union Pacific-Third Street corridor in Springfield is part of the work that remains. Plans for the station also include safety, technology and accessibility improvements.

Illinois Department of Transportation Secretary Randy Blankenhorn said speeds of up to 110 mph (177 kph) between St. Louis and Chicago should be ready by 2019, pending installation of automated train-control and detection technology. The satellite-based "positive train control" technology is designed to automatically stop trains if a crash is imminent.

Blankenhorn said that he expects the project to finish on time and on budget. Federal funding will pay $1.65 billion of the final cost with the state covering about $300 million.

"There's some crossing work that needs to be done in Springfield, and that's well underway," said Blankenhorn.