Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the Springfield Railroad Corridor Study and why is it being conducted?
The Springfield Railroad Corridor Study is being conducted by the City of Springfield and Sangamon County to determine how best to accommodate increasing freight and passenger rail traffic through Springfield. This study will evaluate the possible environmental, social and economic impacts of different alternatives for managing the increased rail traffic. The final result will be the recommendation of a preferred alternative that respects the environment; considers public safety and mobility; and complements community goals and plans. This recommendation will be presented in an environmental document and engineering report. At the study’s conclusion, state and local agencies will be able to apply for funding to finance the selected alternative’s final design and land acquisition.
2. Who is conducting the study?
Hanson Professional Services Inc. has been selected to carry out the study and will complete the assessment of the different alternatives. Hanson has retained Vector Communications Corporation, a public engagement and communications consulting firm, to lead the study’s community involvement and outreach efforts.
3. Why is a public engagement firm part of the study team?
Vector Communications was hired to ensure that residents have the opportunity to participate meaningfully in the study’s activities and decision-making. Vector will administer an inclusive engagement process that maintains open lines of communication between the study team and the public.
4. How much does the study cost and who is paying for it?
The study will cost up to $4,000,000 and is being funded by the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT).
5. How long will the study take to complete?
It will take approximately 16 months to complete the study’s draft environmental document. This aggressive timeline is being driven by likely increases in the number of freight trains on Union Pacific Railroad’s tracks as well as the possible introduction of high speed (110 mph) passenger train service between Chicago and St. Louis.
6. What areas of Springfield will the study focus on and what are the study’s boundaries?
There are currently three north-south railroad corridors through Springfield. They are Third Street, Tenth Street and Nineteenth Street. Each of these corridors is included in the study, which is bounded by Stanford Avenue on the south and Sangamon Avenue on the north.
7. What changes in freight and passenger rail traffic make this latest study necessary?
The Union Pacific (UP) Railroad intends to increase the number of freight trains per day through Springfield to about 22 over the next several years. In addition, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) has applied for funding to inaugurate high speed (110 mph) passenger train service between Chicago and St. Louis. If funding is secured, 18 passenger trains will run through Springfield each day. Together, these increases in rail traffic would result in a total of 40 trains per day on the UP’s Third Street tracks.
8. Is this the High Speed Rail Study?
No, the Springfield Railroad Corridor Study is not the High Speed Rail Study. As previously noted, the purpose of the railroad corridor study is to determine the location that can best accommodate increased freight and passenger rail traffic through Springfield.
9. What alternatives will the study team consider for accommodating increased rail traffic through Springfield?
IDOT, the City and the County have agreed to study a minimum of two alternatives to accommodate increased rail traffic. The first alternative involves adding a second track on Third Street to handle a possible 40 freight and passenger trains per day. The second alternative considers moving the Third Street and possibly the Nineteenth Street trains to Tenth Street, which would consolidate all of the city’s rail traffic into one railroad corridor. Other feasible alternatives will also be considered.
10. How will the study team decide which alternative to recommend as best for the people of Springfield?
The study will assess the costs, benefits and environmental impacts of each of the final study alternatives to determine which one is most feasible. The alternative that best balances costs and impacts with the needs of the community and railroad companies will be recommended by the study team.
11. Has an alternative already been selected?
The study team has not yet selected a preferred alternative. It cannot make a recommendation without first completing its comprehensive analysis of the potential social, economic and environmental impacts of each alternative.
12. Who will make the final decision about which alternative to implement?
The Federal Railroad Administration is the lead federal agency for this study and will determine which alternative gets selected and ultimately implemented.
13. Can the railroads be forced to relocate to corridors where they do not already operate?
The railroads cannot be forced to relocate their train traffic to different tracks if they do not choose to do so.
14. How can the public learn more and get involved in the study?
The Springfield Railroad Corridor Study team wants to share more information with you as well as get your input on how to accommodate the region’s increasing rail traffic. The most direct ways to get involved are by attending the study’s public open house informational meeting and community presentations in March and April 2010. A schedule of these meetings will be posted on our website and advertised through popular media and project materials.
You can also connect to us through any of the means listed below. We welcome your involvement in the study process.
Call Us:
1-877-552-5505
Write Us:
Springfield Railroad Corridor Study
c/o Vector Communications Corporation
701 N. 15th Street, Mailbox 43
St. Louis, MO 63103
Email Us:
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Visit Our Website At:
www.springfieldrailroad.com
Website will be live as of March 1, 2010.
