A series of five public hearings will be held this month to seek comment on the draft Environmental Impact Statement for high-speed rail from Chicago to St. Louis.
Alternatives for accommodating higher speeds and additional round trips were narrowed down based on criteria that included residential and commercial impacts, travel time reductions, safety and environmental impacts.
The alternatives include adding a second track and other improvements. The current Chicago-to-St. Louis corridor operates on a single track shared by traditional freight and Amtrak passenger rail service.
The hearings, hosted by the Illinois Department of Transportation and the Federal Railroad Administration, are the last public events for the statement. Citizens may comment between 4 and 7 p.m. at any of the hearings.
- Joliet - Wed., Aug. 8: Jacob Henry Mansion/Victorian Ballroom, 15 S. Richards St.
- Chicago - Thurs., Aug. 9: Chicago Union Station, The Union Gallery, 500 W. Jackson St.
- Bloomington - Tues., Aug. 14: Marriott Hotel Ballroom, 201 Broadway St.
- Springfield - Wed., Aug. 15:President Abraham Lincoln Hotel Ballroom, 701 E. Adams St.
- Alton - Thurs., Aug. 16: Holiday Inn Ballroom, 3800 Homer Adams Parkway
The hearings will be accessible to persons with disabilities. Anyone needing special assistance should contact Mandi Voegele of Vector Communications Corporation.