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On July 9, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) brought together federal, state and local stakeholders to discuss the proposed Springfield, Ill., rail consolidation plan.

The meeting included representatives from the city of Springfield, Sangamon County, Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), Hanson Engineering, Amtrak, Illinois & Midland Railroad, CN, Norfolk Southern Railway and Union Pacific Railroad. The participants addressed ways to advance the environmental review process, provide the public better access to local studies, increase public participation in choosing alternatives and overcome financial challenges.
 
“At a time when we’re wrestling with how to reduce the nation’s deficit responsibly, there are serious hurdles to finding federal funding for any transportation project,” said Durbin in a prepared statement. “If we’re going to get this project off the ground, we need to understand the challenges we face and we need to start working together toward a solution.”
 
For any rail consolidation alternatives to be eligible for federal funding, specific National Environmental Policy Act guidelines must be followed, including a full assessment of all possible alternatives and a period for public review and comments, he said. The alternatives include double-tracking a UP line or building additional track to divert train traffic.
 
During the meeting, FRA representatives said the agency plans to publish a document that will outline the scope of an environmental impact statement (EIS) for the rail consolidation. They also proposed to review a completed Hanson Engineering study as part of an expedited EIS process and ensure residents are part of the environmental review process. A memorandum of understanding agreed to by IDOT and the city of Springfield calls for a draft EIS to be completed by April 2012.
 
Meeting attendees also discussed expected rail traffic increases through Springfield. As a result of economic development throughout the Midwest and Illinois — including a new UP intermodal facility in Joliet — the number of freight trains operated by CN, NS and UP is projected to rise in the area the next few years.