The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has developed an Environmental Assessment (EA) for the proposed construction of a second railroad track along the mainline service of the Union Pacific Railroad between Elwood and Braidwood (Mileposts 44.60 to 55.50) in Will County, Illinois. It is a Tier 2, or project-level, document for a portion of the Chicago to St. Louis High-Speed Rail Program (HSR Program) that was assessed in a 2012 Tier 1 Final Environmental Impact Statement and Record of Decision. The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) is the project proponent and sponsor.

The EA evaluates two action alternatives and a no-action alternative. Both action alternatives include construction of a second rail track, a maintenance access facility (unpaved path only accessible by the railroad) running parallel to the existing track and retaining wall(s). The exact locations of the maintenance access facility and retaining walls vary by alternative. Additionally, both alternatives propose to construct a new bridge over Prairie Creek, modernize highway-rail grade crossings, and make improvements to signal equipment, culverts, and fencing. The EA assesses environmental impacts associated with all alternatives.

NEPA Status

FRA released the EA for public review and comment July 9, 2025 through August 15, 2025. An open house public hearing took place at the Fossil Ridge Public Library District on August 7, 2025. The comment period is now closed. FRA is reviewing public comments.

The EA Appendices are available at IDOT’s project website.

FRA Points of Contact

FRA NEPA Contact:
Chris Hansen, Environmental Protection Specialist 
Office of Environmental Program Management
Federal Railroad Administration
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
West Building, Mail Stop 20
Washington, DC 20590 
christopher.hansen@dot.gov

Media Queries Contact:
Phone: 202-493-6024
Email: FRAPA@dot.gov