CHARLESTON -U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin emphasized the importance of Amtrak rail lines and other infrastructure to economic development Thursday during a visit to Coles County .

Durbin, a Democrat from Springfield, fielded questions from a group of local officials at the Best Western of Charleston during a meeting organized by Coles Together.

After the meeting, Durbin traveled to Cumberland County to review plans for extending the Bradbury Road to Illinois Route 130 by building a bridge over the Embarras River.

Casey Rooney, executive director of the Mattoon Chamber of Commerce, asked Durbin about his position on Amtrak funding.

Many legislators are starting to realized they cannot "nickel and dime" Amtrak and expect it to survive. Durbin said. The federal government will spend $33 billion on highways this year and $12 billion on airports but will only allocate $500 million for Amtrak, he noted.

It is not unreasonable for Amtrak to receive $1.2 billion, Durbin said, adding most passenger trains throughout the world receive government support.

"I'd like to see us move beyond only the survival of Amtrak to high-speed rail," Durbin said. Amtrak could someday be a primary means of transportation for people seeking to travel quickly throughout the country, he said.

Durbin said he cannot argue in favor of every stop on the Amtrak rail lines, but it would be a mistake for the federal government to walk away, from Amtrak. He said f Amtrak is especially important for college students.

Jackie Record, a member of the Coles County Historical Society, told Durbin the Midtown Depot in Mattoon, a working train deport, is being restored. Record said the historical society recently placed a historically accurate tile roof on the depot with the help of various grants. She said it plans to seek federal funding to help complete the project.

Greg Staton, president of the Charleston Area Chamber of Commerce, asked Durbin about economic development.

Durbin said communities can often promote economic development by capitalizing on their unique infrastructures.

For example, Durbin said community leaders in Quincy pushed hard for the state to extend the Central Illinois Expressway to their town. The senator said the expressway helped Quincy develop an extremely diverse economy and a position as a regional retail hub.

Durbin later asked about the status of plans to build a third Interstate 57 interchange in Coles County. Jeanne Gustafson, executive director of Coles Together, said construction is scheduled to begin in 2004. She asked Durbin to help ensure federal funds are still available.