In the spring of 2012, this feasibility study for a commuter rail connection between Peoria and Bloomington/Normal was begun. The Tri-County Regional Planning Commission, representing the Peoria area, obtained a Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Alternatives Analysis grant of $160,000 matched with $40,000 in local funds. The feasibility study analyzed ridership, rail operations, transit-oriented development, and capital and operating costs.