Action
Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement.
Summary
FRA is issuing this notice to advise the public that FRA with the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) will jointly prepare a Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Chicago, IL to St. Louis, MO High Speed Rail Corridor Program in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). This study will analyze a range of reasonable corridor-level route alternatives between Chicago and Joliet, and will examine additional improvements between Joliet and St. Louis to support additional passenger trains. The EIS will consider increasing the number of frequencies of high-speed passenger rail service, as well as increasing the currently planned maximum speed of such service, in the Chicago to St. Louis Corridor (Corridor). FRA is issuing this notice to solicit public and agency input into the development of the scope of the EIS and to advise the public that outreach activities conducted by FRA and IDOT will be considered in the preparation of the EIS. Alternatives under consideration include taking no action, as well as several build alternatives between Chicago and Joliet, IL, through the City of Springfield, and for the approach to St. Louis, MO.