Chapter 5 Next Steps

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5 NEXT STEPS

This chapter identifies general next steps that may be considered by the Program Sponsors for 

implementation to achieve the goals identified within the Program’s Purpose and Need (see Chapter 1). 

More specific actions will be developed during the development of the Tier 1 Final EIS once a Preferred

Alternative is identified.

The Tier 1 Final EIS will also identify phasing opportunities that may be available for the Preferred 

Alternative, which will be incrementally funded over a period of years as funding becomes available. The 

discussion of phasing opportunities will be further expanded in the Service Development Plan.

5.1. Tier 1 EIS Actions

After the public hearing phase of the Tier 1 Draft EIS is complete, the Program Sponsors will proceed 

with preparing a Tier 1 Final EIS, which will identify a Preferred Alternative. If appropriate, the Federal 

Railroad Administration will issue Record of Decision (ROD) on the Selected Program Alternative and 

associated programmatic-level mitigation. Additional service development planning details will be 

included in the Tier 1 Final EIS for the Preferred Alternative and in the ROD for the Selected Program 

Alternative. The Program Sponsors will also prepare a Service Development Plan (SDP); see Section 5.3

for the Selected Program Alternative. It is anticipated that once a ROD has been issued, the Program 

Sponsors will identify future sections of the Corridor that have independent utility.

5.2. Tier 2 Actions

A high-level discussion will be included in the ROD that will identify Tier 2 actions on a state-by-state 

basis for the Selected Program Alternative. At the conclusion of the Tier 2 Program, the partnering state 

DOTs and the FRA will have several Tier 2 NEPA clearance documents that include an analysis of 

environmental impacts, an analysis of independent utility for each Tier 2 action, alternatives, 30 percent 

preliminary designs (PE) and refined cost estimates for major infrastructure improvements such as 

bridges and other structures, substantial track and signal improvements outside of the existing right of 

way, as well as stations and maintenance facilities for the Selected Program Alternative.

5.3. Service Development Plan (SDP)

The SDP is an important document, prepared independent from the Tier 1 EIS, which provides a complete 

and concise transportation service plan addressing the economic, operating, and engineering elements of 

the Program. The SDP is the business plan that will enable the FRA and the Program Sponsors to advance 

the Program toward implementation of enhanced Chicago-Detroit/Pontiac higher-speed rail service. The 

SDP will be prepared for the Selected Program Alternative and will provide the details of the passenger 

transportation service including the following items:

• Station stops
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• Operating plan and schedule

• Conceptual engineering and costs associated with required infrastructure improvements

• Train equipment

• Ridership and revenue forecasts

• Operating and maintenance activities and costs

• Station and maintenance facility improvements and costs

• Benefit-cost analysis 

• Financial plan with a pro-forma statement of revenues and operating costs

• Multi-year capital program and implementation plan

• Phasing plan, which details incremental improvements in service reliability, operating speeds, travel 

times, and service frequencies.