Illinois DOT's begins week of passenger rail outreach

Written By Sean Jeans Gail

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) will hold open meetings to solicit feedback on the Draft Tier I Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for theChicago to St. Louis corridor development project over the next week, starting tonight in Joliet.

The Midwest High Speed Rail Association is asking residents of Illinois to provide input, while offering several recommendations of their own:The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) will hold open meetings to solicit feedback on the Draft Tier I Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for theChicago to St. Louis corridor development project over the next week, starting tonight in Joliet.

The first phase, replacing the existing infrastructure to allow speeds of 110-mph between Joliet and Alton, is currently underway. It will reduce the fastest trip time to 4h 30m from 5h 20m. The next phases will include adding a second main track between Joliet & Alton, improving access into both Chicago & St. Louis and building a new route thoughSpringfield. It anticipates increasing frequencies from 5 daily roundtrips to 9 roundtrips. The fastest trip will be reduced to 3h 51m.

(As a note, the Midwest High Speed Rail Association supports a goal of less than two hours between Chicago and St. Louis with at least 25 daily departures. IDOT is conducting a separate feasibility analysis of a new 220-mph line on a different route that would accomplish this goal.)

The Midwest High Speed Rail Association supports the investments outlined in this Draft EIS, with several modifications that would set the stage for even faster and more frequent service.

You can read MWHSR’s comments on the Draft EIS here.

Joliet
Date: Wednesday August 8th, 2012
Location: Jacob Henry Mansion - Victorian Ballroom, 15 South Richards Street, Joliet, IL 60433
Time: 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Chicago
Date: Thursday August 9th, 2012
Location: Union Station - Ballroom, 210 South Canal Street, Chicago, IL 60606
Time: 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Bloomington
Date: Tuesday August 14th, 2012
Location: Marriott - Ballroom, 201 Broadway Street, Normal, IL 61761
Time: 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Springfield
Date: Wednesday August 15th, 2012
Location: Abraham Lincoln Hotel - Ballroom, 701 East Adams Street, Springfield, IL 62701
Time: 4:00 PM - 7:00 P

Alton
Date: Thursday August 16th, 2012
Location: Holiday Inn - Ballroom, 3800 Homer Adams Parkway, Alton, IL 62002
Time: 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM