FAQ
- What is High- Speed Rail?
- Who is responsible for this project?
- What are high-speed trains?
- How is high-speed rail funded?
- What are the next steps for implementing high-speed trains?
- What about trains traveling 220 miles per hour?
- How is the 2010 construction funded?
- How much will the 2010 construction cost?
- What are the benefits of 2010 construction?
- What will be the improvements resulting from the 2010 construction?
- What is the 2010 construction schedule?
- Will any grade crossings be closed?
- Will I experience any Amtrak service changes?
- How can I keep informed about this project?
- Who can I contact about this project?
- Who can I contact about safety presentations to our community organizations or schools?
- Will faster trains cause safety concerns?
- Will new trains be bought for the high-speed rail service?
- What is the expected timeline for both the 90 mile segment and for the CHI-STL?
What is High- Speed Rail?
According to the Federal Railroad Administration, High-speed rail (HSR) is a family of transportation options that address longer-distance passenger transport needs in heavily populated corridors. Implementing HSR will promote economic expansion (including new manufacturing jobs), create new choices for travelers in addition to flying or driving, reduce national dependence on oil, and foster urban and rural livable communities.
Who is responsible for this project?
The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) will act as joint lead agencies on this project.
What are high-speed trains?
The Federal Railroad Administration defines high-speed trains as operating at speeds over 90 miles per hour. The Chicago to St. Louis high-speed trains are proposed to operate at a maximum speed of 110 miles per hour where safe and practical.
How is high-speed rail funded?
On April 16, 2009, President Obama announced a new vision for developing high-speed passenger rail in America. The vision called for a collaborative effort among the Federal Government, States, railroads, and other key stakeholders to help transform America’s transportation system through the creation of a national network of high-speed rail corridors. To achieve this vision, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) launched the High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail (HSIPR) Program in June 2009 as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). On January 28, 2010, Illinois was selected for a $1.2 billion federal award to bring high-speed passenger rail service to Illinois by 2014. In addition, the Illinois Capital bill has appropriation of $400 million for high-speed rail.
What are the next steps for implementing high-speed trains?
• Illinois (along with other Midwest states) had a vision for high-speed rail beginning in the 1990’s and in 2003 IDOT developed an environmental clearance document referred to as an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The result of the EIS is a federally approved project eligible for federal funding and is documented in a Record of Decision (ROD).
• The Chicago to St. Louis Corridor ROD was approved in 2004 and allowed IDOT to be well positioned for federal funds. The ROD approves upgrades to the existing Chicago to St. Louis corridor, but only allows improvements to the existing line from Dwight to the St. Louis area.
• Continuing with IDOT’s commitment to build a world-class high-speed rail corridor, the Department has commenced a second EIS to study a full build-out (adding a second track and other improvements) of the corridor and to decide on a route between Chicago and Dwight.
What about trains traveling 220 miles per hour?
IDOT is taking an incremental approach to implementing high-speed rail in the state, similar to how many European countries have implemented high-speed rail service. The 110 miles per hour service on the corridor has the necessary environmental documents, and construction began on September 1. The public will get first glimpse of 110 mph passenger service between Dwight and Pontiac as early as 2012. IDOT embraces the idea that a network of different but connecting rail services operating at up to both 110 miles per hour and 220 miles per hour may best serve the state’s travel and economic development needs. IDOT recently submitted a grant application to the Federal Railroad Administration for an Alternative Analysis and environmental studies for 220 miles per hour service–however, the application was not selected for funding. Trains operating at 220 miles per hour will be subject to a higher level of safety standards which require grade separations for any rail/highway crossings, dedicated right-of-way and fencing. The development of such a system will take a considerable length of time.
How is the 2010 construction funded?
Illinois was selected for federal funds through the Federal Railroad Administration High-Speed and Intercity Passenger Rail (HSIPR) Grant under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Illinois was selected to receive $1.1 billion for corridor improvements between Dwight and the St. Louis area. The overall package of improvements will include matching funds from IDOT, local municipalities and the Union Pacific Railroad.
How much will the 2010 construction cost?
The total cost of the 2010 construction and construction related work is estimated at under $110 million. The cost includes construction, environmental planning, preliminary engineering, and project administration.
What are the benefits of 2010 construction?
• Significant milestone in preparing the Chicago to St. Louis rail corridor for 110 miles per hour service.
• Improved track construction should contribute to enhanced on-time performance of existing passenger service.
• Provides better connectivity between Chicago and St. Louis.
What will be the improvements resulting from the 2010 construction?
• Installation of new premium rail, concrete ties, and stone ballast that support the new rail and ties.
• Railroad turnouts will be replaced with larger switches allowing trains to run through them at a higher speed, and certain curves will be re-aligned to support future higher speeds.
• A total of 78 rail/highway crossings will be refurbished with new concrete road surfaces and improved adjacent roadway approaches.
What is the 2010 construction schedule?
The 2010 construction began on September 1, 2010. The work crews began near Godfrey and are proceeding north. Work is scheduled for completion in January 2011 (weather permitting). The 2010 construction includes approximately 90 miles of new track from approximately Godfrey to Lincoln, excluding the Springfield area.
Will any grade crossings be closed?
During construction, most rail/highway crossings will be temporarily closed to enable the work to be performed. Any potential permanent closure of a grade crossing will involve a negotiated process with the landlord, county, and/or local municipality. For a current list of closed grade crossings, visit the project website at http://www.idothsr.org/construction/closures
Will I experience any Amtrak service changes?
Yes. Amtrak will announce temporary service changes and substitute express bus services that will replace train service during construction and provide reports via Amtrak’s website (www.amtrak.com). Passenger Service Notices will be posted at stations and will be displayed as part of the booking process on www.amtrak.com.
How can I keep informed about this project?
IDOT has a number of contact points for information on this project. Visit www.connectthemidwest.com for Midwest High-Speed Rail information and visit www.idothsr.org for more project specific information and to comment on the Illinois High-Speed Rail project. In addition to the websites, we encourage stakeholders to sign up for the mailing list to receive newsletters and invitations to meetings, as well as to e-subscribe to website updates.
Who can I contact about this project?
You can direct questions and comments to us via www.idothsr.org. Written correspondence can be sent directly to Illinois Department of Transportation, Miriam Gutierrez, Rail Program Planning Chief, Division of Public & Intermodal Transportation, James R. Thompson Center, 100 W. Randolph Street, Suite 6-600, Chicago, IL 60601-3229 or by fax: (312)793-1251.
Who can I contact about safety presentations to our community organizations or schools?
The Illinois Commerce Commission has developed an Illinois Rail Crossing Safety Program in conjunction with Operation Lifesaver. Contact the ICC to schedule a crossing safety program for your community. Contact Chip Pew at (847) 433-3943, cpew@icc.illinois.gov
Will faster trains cause safety concerns?
As part of the project to accommodate 110 miles per hour trains, there are several safety enhancements to the corridor under way. A major portion of the investment in the Chicago-St. Louis corridor is to improve safety systems. The track will be upgraded to premium rail and other components, which supports safer operations. All of the rail/highway grade crossings will undergo an extensive field review (referred to as a field diagnostic) to determine necessary improvements and warning devices at the crossings will be upgraded. The majority of the public crossings will ultimately be equipped with four gates at each crossing (4-quad gates) to better restrict vehicles from entering the path of a train. Finally, a Positive Train Control (PTC) system will be implemented on the corridor which both helps to keeps trains separated from each other as well as identifying roadway vehicles on the tracks at crossings, enabling actions to be taken to avoid an incident.
Will new trains be bought for the high-speed rail service?
Yes – as part of the Federal Railroad Administration funding selection for the ROD package of improvements, six new sets of equipment (trainsets) capable of operating at up to 110 miles per hours will be purchased for use on the Chicago to St. Louis corridor. Each trainset is expected to consist of five cars including new coach and business class seating, as well as food service. Two new high horsepower diesel locomotives will likely be used on each trainset. Specifications for the new equipment are being developed by a national consortium of State DOTs, equipment suppliers and other industry experts. They are drawing on international best practices in the development of these specifications. A higher level of comfort and safety is being specified in the new equipment. Any equipment purchased for the new high-speed service will undergo extensive performance testing and simulated operations on the corridor prior to the start of passenger service in 2014.
What is the expected timeline for both the 90 mile segment and for the CHI-STL?
The current track renewal project on the Springfield Subdivision is in two parts – Brighton, Ill., to just south of Springfield and just north of Springfield to near Elkhart, Ill. This is the first step in the overall effort to build the new high speed route between Chicago and St. Louis. The Brighton to near Elkhart part of the project began on September 1, 2010 and was completed in mid-December 2010. The second part from near Elkhart to near Bloomington, Ill., will begin the end of March 2011 and is scheduled to be completed in May 2011.
