Environmental Assessment Union Pacific Railroad Track Improvement Project Form Joliet to Dwight, IL Will, Grundy and Livingston County, Illinois
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Environmental Assessment Union Pacific Railroad Track Improvement Project form Joliet to Dwight, IL Will, Grundy and Livingston County, Illinois April 2011 IL-Chicago-St. Louis Supplement SDP EA.pdf Union Pacific Railroad UPRR’s Track Improvement Project from Joliet to Dwight, Illinois Environmental Assessment Submitted Pursuant to 64 FR 28545 by the US DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION and ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION March 31, 2011____________ ________________________________________ Date of Approval For Illinois DOT ABSTRACT: The Illinois Department of Transportation (DOT) in conjunction with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) are evaluating improvements within the proposed Union Pacific Railroad Track project to be constructed on the UPRR Joliet Subdivision between Joliet (Milepost (MP) 36.7) and Dwight, Illinois (MP 72.8). This Environmental Assessment (EA) addresses mainline track capacity and operational issues for existing and expected near-term freight and Amtrak services along the current Amtrak service routing between Joliet and Dwight. These improvements were not included in the Chicago – St. Louis High Speed Rail Project Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), completed in January 2003 and the Record of Decision (ROD) signed in January 2004. The proposed improvements have independent utility in addressing issues for existing and expected near-term freight and Amtrak services, and does not preclude other options to address the Chicago-Dwight portion of High Speed Rail if further corridor studies are initiated or advanced under the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA). The preferred alternative follows the current Amtrak service routing from Chicago - St. Louis and includes 1) track upgrades from Joliet (MP 36.7) to Dwight (MP 72.8) to allow 110 mph trains where safe and practical, 2) a new 2nd mainline track along the Union Pacific Railroad from Joliet (MP 36.8) to Elwood (MP 44.69) and 3) a freight siding from MP 55.0 to 57.13. Also includes other improvements to increase in on-time performance and reduce the potential for delay to one or more of the trains operating over this line including installation of Centralized Traffic Control (CTC) with a Positive Train Control (PTC) overlay. No significant impacts to natural, social or human environments would occur. Potential impacts of 1.28 acres of wetland, 0.65 acres of open water, and 4 vibration impacts. The following person may be contacted for additional information concerning this document: George Weber Acting Deputy Director Department of Public and Intermodal Transportation Illinois Department of Transportation 100 West Randolph Street Suite 6-600 Chicago, IL 60601 UPRR’s Track Improvement Project from Joliet to Dwight IL, Environmental Assessment Table of Contents Table of Contents ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS .................................................................................. v 1.0 PURPOSE AND NEED ............................................................................................1-1 1.1 Background ................................................................................................................ 1-1 1.2 Introduction ............................................................................................................... 1-1 1.3 Project History ........................................................................................................... 1-2 1.4 Project Area ................................................................................................................ 1-2 1.5 Project Purpose and Need ....................................................................................... 1-3 1.5.1 Purpose of the Proposed Action ..............................................................................1-3 1.5.2 Need for the Proposed Action .................................................................................1-3 2.0 ALTERNATIVES ......................................................................................................2-1 2.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................... 2-1 2.2 No Build Alternative ................................................................................................ 2-1 2.3 Detailed Build Alternative...................................................................................... 2-2 2.3.1 110 mph Passenger Service, New Second Mainline Track and Mazonia Siding Track ...............................................................................................2-2 2.3.2 At-Grade Crossings ...................................................................................................2-2 2.3.3 Culvert and Bridge Crossings..................................................................................2-3 2.3.4 Right-of-Way and Construction Requirements.....................................................2-6 2.4 Preferred Alternative ............................................................................................... 2-7 2.4.1 Benefits of the Preferred Alternative ......................................................................2-7 2.4.2 Relationship of Preferred Alternative to Chicago-St. Louis High Speed Rail .................................................................................................................2-10 3.0 ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES, IMPACTS AND MITIGATION ...........................3-1 3.1 Physical Environment .............................................................................................. 3-1 3.1.1 Air Quality and Energy ............................................................................................3-1 3.1.2 Floodplains ...............................................................................................................3-10 3.1.3 Noise and Vibration ................................................................................................3-12 3.1.4 Visual Resources ......................................................................................................3-17 3.1.5 Agriculture ...............................................................................................................3-20 3.1.6 Tree Resources .........................................................................................................3-21 3.2 Ecological Systems ................................................................................................. 3-22 3.2.1 Wetlands and Waters of the US .............................................................................3-22 3.2.2 Water Quality and Water Resources ....................................................................3-33 3.2.3 Threatened and Endangered Species ...................................................................3-43 Page i April 2011 UPRR’s Track Improvement Project from Joliet to Dwight, IL, Environmental Assessment Table of Contents 3.2.4 Special Lands .......................................................................................................... 3-46 3.2.5 4(f) Properties .......................................................................................................... 3-48 3.3 Human Environment ............................................................................................. 3-49 3.3.1 Transportation ........................................................................................................ 3-51 3.3.2 Socioeconomics and Land Use ............................................................................. 3-61 3.3.3 Demographics ......................................................................................................... 3-65 3.3.4 Environmental Justice and Title VI ...................................................................... 3-71 3.3.5 Public Health and Safety ....................................................................................... 3-73 3.3.6 Hazardous Materials .............................................................................................. 3-74 3.3.7 Cultural Resources ................................................................................................. 3-80 3.4 Construction Impacts ............................................................................................ 3-81 3.5 Secondary and Cumulative Impacts ................................................................... 3-82 3.5.1 Secondary Impacts ................................................................................................. 3-82 3.5.2 Cumulative Impacts ............................................................................................... 3-83 3.6 Permits...................................................................................................................... 3-84 3.6.1 Applicable Regulations and Permits ................................................................... 3-84 4.0 COORDINATION AND CONSULTATION................................................................ 4-1 4.1 Meetings .................................................................................................................... 4-1 4.2 Coordination Letters ................................................................................................ 4-1 4.3 Agencies ..................................................................................................................... 4-1 4.3.1 Letters and Other Contacts ....................................................................................