The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is developing 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 will evaluate two action alternatives and a no-action alternative. Both of the 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 will assess environmental impacts associated with all alternatives.

NEPA Status

The EA is under development. Upon releasing the EA, FRA will provide the public a 30-day review and comment period, including a public hearing. This web page will be updated when more details are available. 

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