Chicago to Council Bluffs-Omaha Regional Passenger Rail System Planning Study Chapter 5, Next Steps

Tier 1 Service Level EIS 5-1 October 2012

CHAPTER 5

NEXT STEPS

As stated in Chapter 1 and throughout this Tier 1 Draft EIS, public, resource agency, and 

tribal input will be considered to complete the Tier 1 process. Then Tier 2 studies and NEPA

documentation must occur before final design and implementation can be completed. This 

chapter describes how FRA, Iowa DOT, and Illinois DOT plan to complete the Tier 1 

process and the additional analysis required for Tier 2 studies, NEPA documentation, and 

design needed to advance the Project.

5.1 TIER 1 COMPLETION

This Tier 1 Draft EIS has been issued to solicit public, resource agency, and tribal input on 

the preferred alternative. Comments received on the Draft EIS during the comment period 

will be used to prepare and issue a Tier 1 Final EIS that will address these comments.

Subsequent to distribution of the Final EIS, a Record of Decision (ROD) will be developed, 

documenting the decision of selecting the preferred alternative and the mitigation measures 

that will be implemented in subsequent phases of the Project. Because this is a Tier 1 NEPA

document, most mitigation measures represent commitments for further coordination with 

the public, resource agencies, and Native American groups, including tribes, during Tier 2

studies as more detailed information on the design of the Project is developed.

5.2 TIER 2 SECTIONS

As funding becomes available, Tier 2 studies and NEPA documentation would be advanced 

for logical sections of the Project. Separate Tier 2 NEPA documentation would be prepared 

for each of the sections identified. Each of the sections would have independent utility and, 

therefore, could be improved with or without improvements to other sections. Preliminary 

design and NEPA documentation would be conducted in support of those Tier 2 studies 

because such details are necessary to identify the land area that would be disturbed during 

construction activities. At this time, the following Tier 2 sections are anticipated, but these 

sections may be combined or modified in the future based on available funding:

• Chicago to Aurora, Illinois, Track Improvements – This Tier 2 NEPA

document would include the evaluation of the track, drainage structure, roadway 

crossing, and train-control system improvements necessary to provide capacity for 

the additional 14 daily passenger trains (7 round-trips per day) along this section 

of the alignment in Illinois. Potential station platform, layover, and maintenance 

facility improvements at Chicago Union Station will also be included. 

• Aurora, Illinois, to the Wyanet Connection near Wyanet, Illinois, Track 

Improvements - This Tier 2 NEPA document would include the evaluation of the 

track, drainage structure, roadway crossing, station, and train-control system 

improvements necessary to provide capacity and to increase speeds to up to 110 

mph for the additional 14 daily passenger trains (7 round-trips per day) along this 

section of the alignment in Illinois.
Chapter 5, Next Steps Chicago to Council Bluffs-Omaha Regional Passenger Rail System Planning Study

October 2012 5-2 Tier 1 Service Level EIS

• Wyanet Connection near Wyanet, Illinois, to Iowa City, Iowa, Track 

Improvements – This Tier 2 NEPA document would include the evaluation of 

the track, drainage structure, roadway crossing, and train-control system 

improvements necessary to provide capacity and to increase speeds to up to 110 

mph for the additional 14 daily passenger trains (7 round-trips per day) along this 

section of the alignment in Illinois and Iowa.

• Mississippi River Bridge – This Tier 2 NEPA document would include the 

evaluation of the Government Bridge across the Mississippi River between Rock 

Island, Illinois, and Davenport, Iowa, for the capacity and capability necessary for 

the additional 14 daily passenger trains (7 round-trips per day).

• Iowa City, Iowa, Station – This Tier 2 NEPA document would include the 

evaluation of the potential acquisition and/or rehabilitation of the existing former 

Rock Island Route station in Iowa City, including platform, parking, and site 

improvements. Should acquisition or rehabilitation not be possible, an evaluation 

of alternative station locations and designs would be conducted in lieu of the 

analysis of rehabilitating the existing station.

• Iowa City, Iowa, Layover and Maintenance Facility – This Tier 2 EPA 

document would include the evaluation of passenger train layover and 

maintenance facility location and design alternatives.

• Iowa City to Short Line Yard, Des Moines, Iowa, Track Improvements – This 

Tier 2 NEPA document would include the evaluation of the track, drainage 

structure, roadway crossing, and train-control system improvements necessary to 

provide capacity and to increase speeds to up to 110 mph for the additional 14 

daily passenger trains (7 round-trips per day) along this section of the alignment 

in Iowa.

• Grinnell, Iowa, Station – This Tier 2 NEPA document would include the 

evaluation of the potential acquisition and/or rehabilitation of the existing former 

Rock Island Route station in Grinnell, including platform, parking, and site 

improvements. Should acquisition or rehabilitation not be possible, an evaluation 

of alternative station locations and designs would be conducted in lieu of the 

analysis of rehabilitating the existing station.

• Des Moines, Iowa, Short Line Yard Improvements – This Tier 2 NEPA

document would include the evaluation of alignment and design alternatives 

necessary to provide the capacity for the additional 14 daily passenger trains 

(7 round-trips per day) through the Short Line Yard terminal area. It would also 

include the evaluation of the track, drainage structure, roadway crossing, and 

train-control system improvements necessary to provide capacity and to increase 

speeds to up to 70 mph through Des Moines for the additional 14 daily passenger 

trains (7 round-trips per day) along the alignment in Iowa.

• Des Moines, Iowa, Station – This Tier 2 NEPA document would include the 

evaluation of the potential acquisition and/or rehabilitation of the existing former 

Rock Island Route station in Des Moines, including platform, parking, and site 

improvements. Should acquisition or rehabilitation not be possible, an evaluation 

of alternative station locations and designs would be conducted in lieu of the 

analysis of rehabilitating the existing station.
Chicago to Council Bluffs-Omaha Regional Passenger Rail System Planning Study Chapter 5, Next Steps

Tier 1 Service Level EIS 5-3 October 2012

• Des Moines, Iowa, Layover and Maintenance Facility – This Tier 2 NEPA

document would include the evaluation of passenger train layover and 

maintenance facility location and design alternatives.

• Des Moines to Council Bluffs, Iowa, Track Improvements – This Tier 2 NEPA

document would include the evaluation of the track, drainage structure, roadway 

crossing, and train-control system improvements necessary to provide capacity

and to increase speeds to up to 110 mph for the additional 14 daily passenger 

trains (7 round-trips per day) along this section of the alignment in Iowa.

• Atlantic, Iowa, Station – This Tier 2 NEPA document would include the 

evaluation of the potential acquisition and/or rehabilitation of the existing former 

Rock Island Route station in Atlantic, including platform, parking, and site 

improvements. Should acquisition or rehabilitation not be possible, an evaluation 

of alternative station locations and designs would be conducted in lieu of the 

analysis of rehabilitating the existing station.

• Council Bluffs, Iowa, Station – This Tier 2 NEPA document would include the 

evaluation of alternative station locations and designs in Council Bluffs, including 

the potential acquisition and/or rehabilitation of the existing former Rock Island 

Route station in Council Bluffs, including platform, parking, and site 

improvements. 

• Omaha, Nebraska/Council Bluffs, Iowa, Layover and Maintenance 

Facilities – This Tier 2 NEPA document would include the evaluation of 

passenger train layover and maintenance facility location and design alternatives.

• Council Bluffs, Iowa, to Omaha, Nebraska, Track Improvements – This 

Tier 2 NEPA document would include the evaluation of alignment and design 

alternatives necessary to provide the capacity for the additional 14 daily passenger

trains (7 round-trips per day) through the Council Bluff-Omaha terminal area. It 

would also include the evaluation of the track, drainage structure, roadway 

crossing, and train-control system improvements necessary to provide capacity 

and to increase speeds to up to 40 mph for the additional 14 daily passenger trains 

(7 round-trips per day) along this section of the alignment in Iowa and Nebraska.

• Missouri River Bridge – This Tier 2 NEPA document would include the 

evaluation of alternative bridges and bridge locations across the Missouri River

between Council Bluffs, Iowa, and Omaha, Nebraska, for the capacity and 

capability necessary for the additional 14 daily passenger trains (7 round-trips per 

day) anticipated by the Project.

• Omaha, Nebraska, Station – This Tier 2 NEPA document would include the 

evaluation of the alternative station locations and designs in Omaha, including the 

potential acquisition and/or rehabilitation of the existing former Burlington Route 

station in Omaha, including platform, parking, and site improvements. 

5.3 ADDITIONAL STUDIES

Multiple NEPA documents would be developed during the Tier 2 NEPA process. These 

NEPA documents are anticipated to be a mixture of Environmental Assessments for areas 

such as the Missouri River crossing between Council Bluffs, Iowa, and Omaha, Nebraska, 

and Categorical Exclusions for areas with minimal effects. The specific class of NEPA 

document has not yet been determined for each of the Tier 2 sections. Public involvement
Chapter 5, Next Steps Chicago to Council Bluffs-Omaha Regional Passenger Rail System Planning Study

October 2012 5-4 Tier 1 Service Level EIS

would occur during Tier 2 studies, primarily through NEPA, but there may also be separate 

coordination regarding the design of stations and other railroad facilities. Public input would

be considered in the NEPA and design processes.

In addition to NEPA documentation for evaluation of the Tier 2 sections, numerous studies 

would be completed as part of the Tier 2 NEPA process to determine the specific nature and 

quantity of impacts. The analysis would consider avoidance and minimization of impacts on

sensitive environmental resources. For each Tier 2 section, the following studies may be 

required:

• Detailed local-level alternatives analysis

• Wetland delineations and Section 404 permit identification

• Cultural resources surveys and Section 106 consultation

• Threatened and endangered species surveys

• Engineering surveys 

• Noise and vibration analysis

• Section 4(f) evaluation

• Phase I Environmental Site Assessments

• Air emissions analysis in non-attainment areas

• Station-area traffic studies

5.4 MITIGATION PLANNING

In addition to the Tier 2 studies, mitigation for impacts would also be developed. Anticipated 

types of mitigation include wetland mitigation, construction timing restrictions for threatened 

and endangered species, implementation of a stormwater pollution and prevention plan, 

implementation of best management practices, and documentation of historic railroad

structures and other historic properties. Specific mitigation during the Tier 2 process would

be determined in consultation with the federal or state agency responsible for assessing 

impacts on a given resource. As needed, formal consultation would occur with resource 

agencies to address obligations to minimize and mitigate impacts, such as those obligations 

under Section 7 of the ESA and Section 106 of the NHPA. For example, a Section 106 PA 

could be developed after the Tier 1 process that would address the process of consultation 

between FRA, Iowa DOT, Illinois DOT, and the Illinois, Iowa, and Nebraska SHPOs, as well 

as other consulting parties, for meeting historic preservation compliance requirements.
Chicago to Council Bluffs-Omaha Regional Passenger Rail System Planning Study Chapter 5, Next Steps

Tier 1 Service Level EIS 5-5 October 2012

5.5 PROJECT COMMITMENTS

This Tier 1 Draft EIS identified mitigation commitments for each relevant resource section in 

Chapter 3. During the Tier 1 process, the primary commitments are to work with the public, 

resource agencies, and Native American groups, including tribes, to identify specific 

mitigation measures during the Tier 2 process and subsequently implement those measures. 

5.6 PHASED IMPLEMENTATION

Based on experience with other passenger rail projects, FRA anticipates that the Chicago to 

Council Bluffs-Omaha Project would be incrementally funded and that construction and 

operations would be implemented in phases. Funding initially could be allocated for

improvements of facilities to support speeds lower than a maximum of 110 mph, or to 

improve/construct particular stations and maintenance and layover facilities. Service initially 

could start with fewer stations, at lower speeds, and with fewer round-trips. As more funding 

is allocated to the Project, further improvements could be implemented to expand service. 

The specific phasing of the Project is not known at this time but will be determined as 

funding is allocated to the Project.

The Project is anticipated to commence with two round-trips per day from Chicago to Moline 

at a maximum speed of 79 mph; this phase could occur independently as part of the Quad 

Cities Expansion Program passenger rail project. The Project would then be extended

westward from Moline to Iowa City, to Des Moines, to Council Bluffs, and then to Omaha. 

The speed and the frequency of round-trips would increase with subsequent implementation 

phases up to a maximum of 110 mph and up to seven round-trips per day from Chicago to 

Des Moines, with five of the round-trips extending from Chicago to Omaha. The ultimate 

proposed implementation would be realized over many years of phased implementation as 

federal and state funds are allocated to the Project.
Chapter 5, Next Steps Chicago to Council Bluffs-Omaha Regional Passenger Rail System Planning Study

October 2012 5-6 Tier 1 Service Level EIS

This page intentionally left blank