The Illinois Department of Transportation and the Federal Railroad Administration are
hosting a series of public hearings to seek comment on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) that
has been prepared for the Tier 1 EIS for high-speed rail from Chicago to St. Louis. The DEIS outlines the
environmental impacts on the alternatives that have been retained for further study. Numerous alternatives for
accommodating higher speeds and additional round trips were studied in detail and narrowed down based on a
set of evaluation criteria that included residential and commercial impacts, travel time reductions, safety, and
environmental impacts. The alternatives include a full build-out, which is adding a second track, and other
improvements. The current Chicago to St. Louis corridor operates on a single track that is shared by both
traditional freight and Amtrak passenger rail service.
The public hearings mark the last public events for the Tier 1 EIS. At the hearings, citizens will be able to
comment on the DEIS. The DEIS can be viewed prior to the hearings at
http://www.fra.dot.gov/rpd/freight/fp_Chicago_to_StLouis_HSR_Corridor.shtml
Citizens are invited to attend a public hearing at any time between 4:00 p.m.- 7:00 p.m. at the following
locations:
Joliet, IL – Wed., August 8: Jacob Henry Mansion / Victorian Ballroom / 15 South Richards Street /
Joliet, IL 60433
Chicago, IL – Thurs., August 9: Chicago Union Station / The Union Gallery / 500 W. Jackson Street /
Chicago, IL 60661
Bloomington, IL – Tues., August 14: Marriott Hotel / Ballroom / 201 Broadway Street / Normal, IL
61761
Springfield, IL – Wed., August 15: President Abraham Lincoln Hotel / Ballroom / 701 East Adams
Street / Springfield, IL 62701
Alton, IL – Thurs., August 16: Holiday Inn / Ballroom / 3800 Homer Adams Parkway / Alton, IL 62002
The hearings will be accessible to persons with disabilities. Anyone needing special assistance should contact
Mandi Voegele of Vector Communications Corporation at (314) 621-5566. Persons planning to attend who
will need a sign language interpreter or other similar accommodations should notify TTY/TTD number (800)
526-0844 or 711; TTY users (Spanish) (800) 501-0864 or 711; and for Telebraille dial (877) 526-6670 at least
five days prior to the hearing.
###
Post Link: http://www.idothsr.org/pdf/tier%201pressadvisoryfor%20public%20hearings.pdf
Share: 
