Section

3

3. Alternatives

ALTERNATIVES
Springfield Rail Improvements Project 3-1 Tier 2 Draft Document 

3.0 Alternatives 

The Springfield Rail Improvements Project Build Alternatives would utilize different

routes. The No‐Build Alternative includes the continuation of existing freight service

along with intercity passenger service between Chicago and St. Louis including the

currently planned and funded improvements.  The existing Amtrak service will be

improved with HSR service through much of the corridor (between Joliet and St. Louis)

following completion of upgrades to the existing tracks that were approved by a 2004

Record of Decision (ROD) (Dwight to St. Louis improvements) FRA and FHWA, 2003)

and 2011 FONSI (Joliet to Dwight improvements) (FRA).   

This chapter describes the alternatives considered in detail and the screening process

used to identify reasonable alternatives carried forward for further analyses. The

screening process compared each of the alternatives using screening criteria developed

by IDOT and the FRA from the purpose and need. In Chapter 2 of this volume, Purpose

and Need, a series of goals and objectives were established. Specific measures were used

as screening criteria to compare the alternatives for each of the stated objectives. The

criteria are stated in Section 3.1 and a comparison of the alternatives is included in

Section 3.2 and 3.3.

3.1 Tier 2 Alternatives Screening Process 

3.1.1 Tier 2 Screening and Selection Process 

The purpose of the screening process is to identify the set of reasonable alternatives for

full evaluation for the Springfield Improvements Project. IDOT and FRA developed a set

of screening criteria was developed specifically for this project.  The screening criteria

were applied to the project alternatives to determine if any of the identified alternatives

had any fatal flaws or would result in disproportionate impacts or costs.  The screening

criteria were developed based on the following:

 the purpose and need of the project;

 the goals and objectives established for the project in the Purpose and Need;

 minimizing impacts to humans and the natural environment; and

 minimizing costs.

Table 3‐1 lists the Springfield Rail Improvements Project Tier 2 screening objectives and

their corresponding criteria, as well as the units or methodology that were used to

quantify or characterize these criteria. Quantitative criteria were measured in

appropriate units such as number, time, or dollars, while qualitative criteria that cannot

be captured adequately by a single number are encapsulated in a brief narrative

description.  Each of the alternatives that passed the Tier 1 screening (Volume 1, Section

3.3.5) were evaluated through the Tier 2 screening to the same level of engineering and

environmental study.  Some of the Tier 2 screening criteria are the same as those used in
Springfield Rail Improvements Project 3-2 Tier 2 Draft Document 

the Tier 1 screening.  However, more detailed analysis was conducted for the Springfield

Rail Improvements Project Alternatives at Tier 2 because of a greater level of

engineering detail and a greater level of environmental information.  Some of the

screening criteria from Tier 1 are not included in Tier 2, because for those criteria

additional information is not necessary or relevant at the Tier 2 level.  Additionally,

screening criteria have been added to address the additional Springfield Project needs.

Differences in impacts and costs from Tier 1 to Tier 2 are a result of the more detailed

analysis undertaken for Tier 2.  

Screening based on railroad operational criteria is included in Tier 1. There are no

operational differences among the Tier 2 Build Alternatives. The operational issues

associated with the No‐Build Alternatives are primarily issues related to operating on a

single track in the UP corridor and are discussed in the Tier 1 Draft EIS (Volume 1,

Section 3).  

A discussion of the Tier 2 screening criteria that are not included in Tier 1 is provided

after Table 3‐1.  The items with bold text are new criteria not included in the Tier 1

screening.   

Table 3‐1. Tier 2 Objectives and Screening Criteria

Objective Criteria and Measures 

Safety  Train/Vehicle Accidents at Grade

Crossings (# of predicted accidents)

Congestion  Vehicle Traffic delay (# of minutes of

vehicle delay)

Livability and commercial activity

 Predicted sound levels (Amount of time

horns are blown per day (# of minutes)

 Reduce rail traffic through the Medical

District and downtown (qualitative

discussion)

Lifecycle and capital costs  Lifecycle cost (dollars)

 Capital cost (dollars)

Operational issues  Number of at‐grade crossings

Impacts to existing development  Right‐of‐way Impacts (acres of right‐of‐way

required)

Impacts to social and economic

resources

 Residential and commercial displacements

(# of displacements)

 Parcels with changes in access (# of parcels)

 Neighborhood severances and public

services (qualitative discussion)

Note: Criteria not included in the Tier 1 Screening are in bold.
Springfield Rail Improvements Project 3-3 Tier 2 Draft Document 

3.1.1.1 Safety

Annual vehicle/train accidents, including injuries and fatalities, for each grade crossing

were predicted for each alternative using USDOT Grade Crossing Accident Prediction

based on the method published in summary of the IDOT Rail‐Highway Crossings

Resource Allocation Procedure‐Revised, June 1987 and Rail‐Highway Crossing Resource

Allocation Procedure: User’s Guide, Third Edition, August 1987.

3.1.1.2 Congestion

Daily traffic delays at grade crossings were computed for future conditions for all

alternatives.

3.1.1.3 Improve Livability and Commercial Activity

The amount of time that train horns blow at grade crossings was computed for future

conditions for all alternatives.

Each of the alternatives was evaluated with regard to whether they reduced rail traffic

through the Mid‐Illinois Medical District and through Downtown.  

3.1.1.4 Lifecycle and Capital Costs

Capital costs were computed for each alternative. Capital Costs are for design, land

acquisition and construction. They do not include operations and maintenance costs. A

lifecycle cost analysis using USDOT procedures and analysis inputs (OMB Circular No.

A‐94; EPA Publication EPA 420; DOT Guideline: Treatment of the Value of Preventing

Fatalities and Injuries in Preparing Economic Analysis; USDOT Memorandum:

Valuation of Travel Time in Economic Analysis; USDOT Memorandum: Treatment of

Value of Life and Injuries in Preparing Economic Evaluations) was prepared for a 75

year project life.  Annual costs were computed for each year of the anticipated project

life.  These include:

 Crossing maintenance, crossing rehabilitation and structure rehabilitation.

 Delays based on the traffic delay calculations and an average hourly delay cost.

 Cost for collisions, injuries and fatalities at highway grade crossings as computed

by the crash prediction model.

 Emissions and fuel costs as a result of delayed rail and vehicles.

 Incident, injury and fatality costs for hazardous material releases. Information on

hazardous material releases from railroad cars is tabulated by the U.S. Department

of Transportation.  This information was used to compute an average of incidents,

costs, injuries and deaths per train mile traveled.  This was used to predict the

number and cost of incidents in the study area for the various alternatives (Illinois

Commerce Commission, 2001‐2010).   
Springfield Rail Improvements Project 3-4 Tier 2 Draft Document 

These annual costs were escalated to account for inflation (1.8 percent/year, 3.0

percent/Year for Construction) and any anticipated increases because of rail and vehicle

traffic growth.  The present value of these annual costs was computed using the

discount rate (4.5 percent/year) and anticipated project life.

3.1.1.5 Operational Issues

The number of remaining at‐grade rail crossings and grade separation bridges in the

study area were computed for each of the alternatives. There are no other rail

operational differences among the Build Alternatives. All of the Build Alternatives

improve UP operations by adding a second track through Springfield. All of the

alternatives would have the same length, speed, travel time and switching requirements.  

The operational issues associated with the No‐Build include insufficient capacity on the

single track for UP’s anticipated freight trains plus the proposed passenger trains, the

inability to accommodate meets and passes in Springfield on the single track, and the

inability to board northbound and southbound passenger trains simultaneously. These

issues are presented in more detail in Tier 1 Draft EIS.   

3.1.1.6 Impacts to Existing Development

The number of acres of required new right‐of‐way was computed for each alternative.  

This included right‐of‐way for new grade separations, crossing improvements and track

improvements.  

3.1.1.7 Impacts to Social and Economic Resources

Anticipated right‐of‐way impacts along the alternatives were used to determine the

number of displacements along each alternative.  As part of this analysis, previous

stakeholder comments obtained through the Springfield Rail Improvements Project

were assessed to assist in identifying social and economic impacts.  

The alternatives were also compared as to whether the rail lines passed through

residential neighborhoods and whether they affect access to critical community

buildings.  

3.2 No Action – No Build Alternative 

The No‐Build Alternative consists of maintaining the existing rail and street facilities

after completion of the improvements approved by the FRA in the 2004 Record of

Decision (ROD Improvements) (see Volume 1 Section 3.2).  No additional grade

separations would be constructed.  Quad gate installation along 3rd Street as part of the

ROD Improvements would allow for a quiet zone for the 3rd Street corridor (UP). The

No‐Build Alternative would have a substantial increase in freight rail traffic compared

to existing.  
Springfield Rail Improvements Project 3-5 Tier 2 Draft Document 

3.3 Action – Build Alternatives 

The Alternatives Considered for the Chicago to St. Louis High Speed Rail Project are

described in Section 3.3 of Volume I. Additional detail regarding the elimination of

alternatives is described in the Tier 1 document. The analysis in Tier 1 eliminates the

following Springfield build alternatives (the alternatives are described in Section 3.3.5.1

of Volume 1):  

 Alternative 3 – UP and CN relocation to 10th Street  

 Alternative 4 – Split passenger and freight  

 Alternative 5 – Split passenger and freight with CN relocation to 10th  

Screening and elimination of these alternatives is included in Section 3.3.5.2 of Volume 1.

The following Build Alternatives were retained for Tier 2 analysis.

3.3.1 Alternative 1 

Alternative 1 – Double track the existing 3rd Street corridor to accommodate UP freight &

passenger (HSR) traffic.  This alternative includes three subalternatives, each of which

includes an alternative specific combination of grade separations and grade crossing

closures (see Table 3‐2).  

 1A – Double track UP on 3rd (Exhibit 3‐1) – grade separation at passenger station.

 1B – Double track UP on 3rd – some grade separations on UP corridor only (Exhibit

3‐2).

 1C – Double track UP on 3rd – some grade separations on all corridors (Exhibit 3‐3).

Alternatives 1A, 1B, and 1C include closure of 3rd Street parallel to the UP tracks from

Ash Street to Union Street.  

From approximately Monroe Street to south of Laurel Street the existing UP right‐of‐

way is approximately 30 feet wide.  Two tracks at 13 feet – 6 inches centers would leave

only about 8 feet from the centers of the track to the right‐of‐way line.  In other areas

north of Monroe Street the right‐of‐way is wider but would not accommodate UP’s

design requirements for spacing and clearance.  

Illinois legal horizontal clearance requirement (Title 92 I.A.C.) is 8 feet – 0 inches in

general and 9 feet – 0 inches for poles.  The UP requirement is 9 feet – 0 inches.  There is

insufficient width within the existing right‐of‐way to provide these clearances.

Since 3rd Street exists on both sides of the track in most of this segment, there are vehicles

and pedestrians immediately adjacent to the narrow railroad right‐of‐way. There are
Springfield Rail Improvements Project 3-6 Tier 2 Draft Document 

also numerous residences and businesses that front directly onto 3rd Street. This situation

does not exist in the 10th Street corridor.

The City of Springfield requested that a concrete barrier and chain link fence be

constructed on both sides of the UP track in this corridor to prevent vehicle and

pedestrian encroachment onto the UP single residences and businesses front directly on

3rd Street.  To provide the minimum clearances listed above it would be necessary to

place this fence and barrier on 3rd Street, off of existing railroad right‐of‐way.  This

arrangement results in the following concerns:

 A fence and barrier at the minimum clearance point for over a mile of track could

complicate UP track maintenance.

 Third Street would be reduced to an unacceptable width.
Springfield Rail Improvements Project 3-7 Tier 2 Draft Document 

Exhibit 3‐1.  Alternative 1A

   
Springfield Rail Improvements Project 3-8 Tier 2 Draft Document 

Exhibit 3‐2.  Alternative 1B  
Springfield Rail Improvements Project 3-9 Tier 2 Draft Document 

Exhibit 3‐3.  Alternative 1C  
Springfield Rail Improvements Project 3-10 Tier 2 Draft 

Document 

Table 3‐2.  Tier 2 Alternatives
Springfield Rail Improvements Project 3-11 Tier 2 Draft Document 

 The barrier and fence on both sides of the track could trap trespassers with no easily

accessible escape route or place of refuge.    

 Each of the cross streets’ crossing signals and gates would need to be installed.  The

installation of vehicle and pedestrian gates would require that 3rd Street be relocated

further away from the track at the at‐grade crossings. This would require the

acquisition of right‐of‐way and result in intersections on both sides of, and

immediately adjacent to, the rail crossings.  

In order to resolve these issues Alternatives 1A, 1B, and 1C include abandoning 3rd

Street in areas where it is immediately adjacent to the track and the existing UP right‐of‐

way width is less than 66 feet.  This would require that the street right‐of‐way and any

property with access only from 3rd Street be purchased.  Purchase and abandonment of

3rd Street provides the following advantages.  

 Elimination of most of the concerns associated with pedestrian and vehicle traffic

immediately adjacent to the railroad.

 A 15 feet track center and a service road could be provided for the UP, improving

its maintenance activity and operations.  

 Elimination of the 3rd Street intersections adjacent to the track at cross streets.    

 Closing 3rd Street would not result in a noticeable increase in traffic on any other

streets.  

The passenger station along 3rd Street for Alternatives 1A, 1B and 1C would be at the site

of the existing Amtrak Station and on the block immediately to the north.  The

alternatives include a grade separation at Jefferson Street to provide the required 500

feet station platform length (see Exhibit 3‐4). Station parking (minimum 100 spaces)

would be located immediately east of the station in the block between Jefferson and

Washington Street.   

3.3.2 Alternative 2 

Alternative 2 – Relocate UP freight and passenger (HSR) traffic to the 10th Street corridor.  

This alternative includes two subalternatives, each of which includes an alternative

specific combination of grade separations and grade crossing closures.  (See Table 3‐2).

 2A – Relocate UP to 10th – some grade separations on 10th and 19th (Exhibit 3‐5).

 2B – Relocate UP to 10th – grade separation or closure of all crossings on 10th south

of North Grand Avenue, some grade separations on 19th (Exhibit 3‐6).

Alternative 2B was developed at the request of the UP to evaluate the cost, impacts and

benefits of eliminating all at‐grade crossings where the NS and UP would operate in

adjacent, parallel corridors (North Grand Avenue to Stanford Avenue).   
Springfield Rail Improvements Project 3-12 Tier 2 Draft Document 

Exhibit 3‐4.  Passenger Station on 3rd Street
Springfield Rail Improvements Project 3-13 Tier 2 Draft Document 

Exhibit 3‐5.  Alternative 2A

   
Springfield Rail Improvements Project 3-14 Tier 2 Draft Document 

Exhibit 3‐6.  Alternative 2B    
Springfield Rail Improvements Project 3-15 Tier 2 Draft Document 

The passenger station along 10th Street for Alternatives 2A and 2B would be on the east

side of the rail corridor on the block between Adams and Washington Streets.  An

overhead pedestrian crossing would provide access to the platforms.  These alternatives

include closing the Adams Street crossing to provide the required 500 feet station

platform length (see Exhibit 3‐7). Station parking (minimum 100 spaces) would be

located east of the station between Adams and Jefferson Streets.  
Springfield Rail Improvements Project 3-16 Tier 2 Draft Document 

Exhibit 3‐7.  Passenger Station on 10th Street
Springfield Rail Improvements Project 3-17 Tier 2 Draft Document 

3.4 Springfield Tier 2 Screening of Alternatives 

The Springfield‐specific Tier 2 screening criteria were applied to the No‐Build

Alternative and to Alternatives 1A, 1B, 1C, 2A, and 2B.  The No‐Build Alternative

includes a substantial increase in passenger and freight rail traffic, and this is reflected in

the screening comparison. The results of the screening analysis are described in the

paragraphs that follow.

3.4.1 Safety 

Reducing the number of crossings and improving crossing protection are the primary

ways to improve safety.  As stated in the purpose and need, the 3rd Street Corridor

(Alternatives 1A, 1B, and 1C) also has additional pedestrian safety concerns.  

The anticipated number of vehicle‐train crashes in the design year 2030 is shown for

each alternative in Table 3‐3.  These were predicted using USDOT Grade Crossing

Accident Prediction based on the method published in summary of the IDOT Rail‐

Highway Crossings Resource Allocation Procedure‐Revised, June 1987 and Rail‐

Highway Crossing Resource Allocation Procedure: User’s Guide, Third Edition, August

1987.

Table 3‐3. Predicted Crashes

Alternative Predicted Crashes per Year (2030)

No‐Build 1.30

1A 1.42

1B 1.31

1C 0.58

2A 0.26

2B 0.08

Alternatives that consolidate rail traffic on corridors with grade separations at the

busiest streets (2A and 2B) have the lowest projected number of crashes.  Simply

building more grade separations without consolidating (Alternatives 1B and 1C) is not

as effective as consolidating and building grade separations (2A and 2B).  Alternatives

1A, 1B and 1C would fence the UP right‐of‐way only, leaving the NS and CN corridors

subject to existing level of trespass.  Alternatives 2A and 2B would fence both of the

City’s remaining north‐south corridors, reducing trespass opportunities throughout the

City.   

Alternatives 1A, 1B and 1C would not fully address the 3rd Street pedestrian safety

issues because rail traffic would remain on the 3rd Street corridor.  Closing 3rd Street

would eliminate the problem of the street immediately adjacent and parallel to the

tracks.  The issue of the busy corridor through a dense residential area with numerous

pedestrian attractions would remain however.    
Springfield Rail Improvements Project 3-18 Tier 2 Draft Document 

3.4.2 Congestion 

As with safety, the alternatives that consolidate corridors and provide grade separations

at busy streets are most effective at reducing vehicle congestion resulting from trains

blocking crossings. With three north‐south rail corridors and limited grade separations,

Springfield east‐west streets are vulnerable to frequent delays because of trains blocking

crossings.   

Anticipated daily vehicle delays in 2030 as a result of trains blocking at‐grade crossings

were computed for each alternative. These are shown in Table 3‐4.

Table 3‐4. Vehicle Delays

Alternative Vehicle Delay in veh‐min per day (2030)

No‐Build 47,500

1A 45,900

1B 28,500

1C 18,900

2A 13,500

2B 7,100

Alternatives 2A and 2B have the fewest delays of the Tier 2 alternatives.  This is because

of the consolidation of rail traffic on 10th Street and construction of grade separations at

the busiest streets.  Consolidation moves trains off of the 3rd Street corridor which is

crossed by more vehicles than the 10th Street corridor.  10th Street also has more effective

existing grade separations.   

Alternatives 1C, 2A and 2B would result in fully grade separating Carpenter Street,

Madison Street, Jefferson Street, Ash Street and South Grand Avenue, five of the busiest

east‐west arterials in the City.  Traffic on these streets would no longer be stopped by

trains.  

3.4.3 Livability and Commercial Activity 

3.4.3.1 Train Horn Blowing

The large number of at‐grade street crossings in Springfield produces frequent train

horn blowing, which can affect livability.  The most effective ways to reduce the

frequency of train horns is to consolidate rail traffic to corridors that have fewer at‐grade

crossings or to create quiet zones.   

The predicted duration of train horn blowing in minutes per day for each alternative is

shown in Table 3‐5.  This was calculated based on the number and duration of horn

blowing for each train as it approaches each crossing in the city.  Horn blowing

sequences are prescribed by law.  Alternatives 1C, 2A and 2B would have no horn

blowing since quiet zones would be implemented for all rail corridors.  
Springfield Rail Improvements Project 3-19 Tier 2 Draft Document 

Table 3‐5. Horn Blowing

Alternative Horn Blowing min/day (2030)

No‐Build 314

1A 151

1B 151

1C 0

2A 0

2B 0

3.4.3.2 Reduce Rail Traffic Through Medical District and Downtown

The City of Springfield has a long‐held goal to eliminate rail traffic on 3rd Street and to

consolidate rail traffic on 10th Street (see Springfield Railroad Consolidation Study, 2005; and

The 10th Street Solution, 2011).  The 3rd Street (UP) and 19th Street (CN) corridors are the

most residential of the three corridors in the City; the 10th Street (NS) corridor is the least

residential.  The 3rd Street corridor passes through downtown, the State Capital Complex

and the Mid‐Illinois Medical District.  The rail corridor inhibits planned development in

the Medical District because of the reluctance to construct medical, academic or research

structures too close to the tracks (Springfield Area Transportation Study, 2010).  

Development in downtown, especially residential development is restricted by the 3rd

Street rail corridor.  Much of the 10th Street corridor passes through the east edge of

downtown and a warehouse and industrial area.  The City’s comprehensive plan calls

for relocation of the 3rd Street corridor to 10th Street and construction of an intermodal

station on 10th Street.  Alternatives 2A and 2B achieve this goal and are consistent with

the City’s plan since they eliminate rail traffic on 3rd Street and consolidate on 10th Street.   

Alternatives 1A, 1B and 1C would increase rail traffic through downtown and the heart

of the Medical District.  These alternatives also do not reduce the number of rail corridor

barriers that divide the City.  These alternatives leave rail traffic on the 3rd Street corridor

which has a higher concentration of critical community facilities than the 10th Street

Corridor.    

Alternatives 2A and 2B eliminate rail traffic from downtown and shift it away from the

center of the Medical District.  These alternatives eliminate one of the rail corridor

barriers and mitigate the effects of the other two by constructing grade separations at

critical locations on both 10th and 19th Streets.     

3.4.4 Lifecycle and Capital Costs 

3.4.4.1 Annual and Lifecycle Costs

Annual and lifecycle costs were computed for each alternative using the assumptions

shown in Table 3‐6. The project design year is 2030. It is anticipated that the project will

retain a useful life beyond 2030, and the lifecycle analysis length extends past 2030.
Springfield Rail Improvements Project 3-20 Tier 2 Draft Document 

Table 3‐6. Annual and Lifecycle Cost Assumptions

Annual and Lifecycle Costs Footnote Reference

Lifecycle Length 75 Years 1

Base Year for Costs 2011 2

Inflation Rate 1.80 Percent 3

Construction Inflation 3.00 Percent 4

Discount Rate 4.50 Percent 3

Fatality Cost $5,800,000 Each Occurrence 5

Injury Cost $1,000,000 Each Occurrence 5

Collision Cost $50,000 Each Occurrence 5

Auto Delay Cost $15.00 Per Hour 6

Truck Delay Cost $50.00 Per Hour 6

Percent Trucks 7 Percent 7

VOC Emissions Cost $1,700 Per Ton 6

NOx Emissions Cost $4,000 Per Ton 6

Fuel Cost $3.33 Per Gallon 8

VOC Emissions 0.05 Pounds Per Hour of Idling 6

NOx Emissions 0.01 Pounds Per Hour of Idling 6

Vehicle Traffic Growth 2.00 percent Per Year 7

Rail Traffic Growth 1.20 percent Per Year 9

Crossing Signal Maintenance $12,000 Per Year 10

Crossing Rehab $200,000 Each 10

Anticipated Structure life is 75 years 1

Structure rehabilitation every 25 years at 20 percent of structure cost 10

Grade crossing and signal rehabilitation every 10 years 10

Hazardous materials spill frequency and cost 11

1  Anticipated Service Life of Improvement

2  Current Year

3  Office of Management and Budget Circular A‐94

4   IDOT Five‐year Program

5  DOT Guideline: Treatment of the Value of Preventing Fatalities and Injuries in

Preparing Economic Analysis

6  EPA Publication 420: Idling Vehicle Emissions

7  IDOT Traffic maps

8  Current National Average

9  Recent Average National Growth

10 Discussions with UP and CN Railroads

11 Federal Railroad Administration – Office of Hazardous Materials Safety

  

These costs were not intended to be a comprehensive estimate of cost, but rather a

means to compare the long term costs of different alternatives.  The costs do not include

items that are common to all alternatives, such as street and track maintenance and train

operations.  The items included in the annual and lifecycle cost comparison are:
Springfield Rail Improvements Project 3-21 Tier 2 Draft Document 

 Crossing Maintenance

 Vehicle Delays

 Vehicle‐Train Collisions

 Emissions

 Hazardous Material Spills

 Fuel

 Structure Rehabilitation

 Grade Crossing Rehabilitation

Lifecycle length of 75 years was chosen since it is a standard service life for some of the

most costly components like the grade separations.  It is longer than the service life of

some components such as track, and shorter than the service life of other components

like right‐of‐way.  Rehabilitation costs account for the extension cost items that can recur

over the lifecycle length such as track crossing signals.  The annual costs were escalated

to account for inflation and anticipated increases from rail and vehicle traffic growth.  

The present value of the cost was computed using the discount rate.  The estimated

annual and lifecycle costs for the various alternatives are shown in Table 3‐7.

Table 3‐7. Present Value of Annual and Lifecycle Costs (Millions)

Alternative Delays Crashes Emissions Crossing

Maintenance Rehabilitation HAZMATSpills Total

No‐Build $300 $89 $1.1 $26 $48 $0.9 $467

1A $270 $96 $1 $26 $55 $0.9 $450

1B $168 $83 $0.6 $25 $63 $0.9 $341

1C $110 $42 $0.4 $23 $64 $0.9 $241

2A $80 $18 $0.3 $20 $54 $0.9 $173

2B $42 $5 $0.2 $12 $42 $0.9 $103

Alternatives 2A and 2B have the lowest lifecycle costs of the Tier 2 alternatives,

primarily because of the reduced delay and accident costs.  

3.4.4.2 Capital Cost

Capital costs for each alternative were estimated based on the required infrastructure

improvements, including station improvements and grade separations necessary to

accommodate increased freight and high‐speed passenger traffic and are shown in Table

3‐8. These costs include construction, right‐of‐way, engineering and utility relocations.  

Construction quantities were computed for each of the major items of construction, and

average unit prices were applied to these quantities.  An appropriate contingency was
Springfield Rail Improvements Project 3-22 Tier 2 Draft Document 

added along with engineering costs.  Land acquisition costs were based on assessed

values.

Table 3‐8.  Capital Cost for Each Alternative

Double Track Third Street Alternatives

Work Item Alternative 1A Alternative 1B Alternative 1C

Third Street Track Work $33,000,000 $33,000,000   $33,000,000

Non‐Recoverable ROD Costs 0 0   0

Station Improvements (not including ROD) $19,000,000 $19,000,000   $19,000,000

Bridge Replacement

Bridge at Capitol   $5,300,000   $5,300,000    $5,300,000

Bridge at Dodge   $4,200,000   $4,200,000    $4,200,000

Bridge at Ninth   $8,800,000   $8,800,000    $8,800,000

Total $18,300,000 $18,300,000   $18,300,000

Third Street Grade Separations

Ash Street Underpass at Third St   $14,700,000    $14,700,000

South Grand Overpass at Third St   $23,000,000    $23,000,000

South Grand Underpass at Third St

Jefferson Street Overpass at Third St   $22,700,000   $22,700,000    $22,700,000

Jefferson Street Underpass at Third St

Madison Street Overpass at Third St   $22,500,000    $22,500,000

Madison Street Underpass at Third St

Carpenter Overpass at Third St   $22,100,000    $22,100,000

Carpenter Underpass at Third St

Fifth Street Underpass at Third St   $14,800,000    $14,800,000

Sixth Street Overpass at Third St   $47,600,000    $47,600,000

Sixth Street Underpass at Third St

Total $22,700,000 $167,400,000    $167,400,000

Tenth and Nineteenth Street Grade Separations

Ash Street Underpass at Tenth St   $17,800,000

Jefferson Street Underpass at Tenth St   $14,200,000

Madison Street Underpass at Tenth St   $14,500,000

Carpenter Street Underpass at Tenth St   $15,100,000

North Grand Overpass at NS (North Align)   $18,400,000

Ash Street Underpass at Nineteenth St   $ 8,600,000

South Grand Underpass at Nineteenth St $9,500,000

Total $98,100,000

    

UP At‐Grade Crossings (Quiet Zone) $19,800,000 $13,700,000 $13,700,000

NS At‐Grade Crossings (Quiet Zone)    $14,900,000.00

CN At‐Grade Crossings (Quiet Zone)    $13,200,000.00

TOTAL   $113,000,000   $251,000,000    $377,000,000
Springfield Rail Improvements Project 3-23 Tier 2 Draft Document 

Shift UP to Tenth Street Alternative

Work Item   Alternative 2A Alternative 2B

Track Improvements

10th St North Alternative   $88,200,000   $88,200,000

Total $88,200,000   $88,200,000

Non‐Recoverable ROD Cost 0 0

Bridge Replacement

Fifth Street Underpass at Tenth St   $11,300,000   $11,300,000

Sixth Street Underpass at Tenth St   $10,600,000   $10,600,000

South Grand Underpass at Tenth St   $5,800,000   $5,800,000

Cook Street Underpass at Tenth St.   $7,000,000   $7,000,000

Sangamon Underpass at UP

Total $34,700,000   $34,700,000

Station Improvements   $21,000,000   $21,000,000

Grade Separations

Laurel Street Underpass at Tenth St   $13,200,000   $13,200,000

Ash Street Underpass at Tenth St   $17,800,000   $17,800,000

Monroe Street Underpass at Tenth St.   $14,700,000

Washington Street Underpass at Tenth   $15,900,000

Jefferson Street Underpass at Tenth St   $14,200,000   $14,200,000

Madison Street Underpass at Tenth St   $14,500,000   $14,500,000

Carpenter Street Underpass at Tenth St   $15,100,000   $15,100,000

North Grand Underpass at UP (North Align)   $14,000,000   $14,000,000

North Grand Overpass at NS (North Align)   $18,400,000   $18,400,000

Ash Street Underpass at Nineteenth St   $8,600,000   $8,600,000

South Grand Underpass at Nineteenth St   $9,500,000   $9,500,000

Total $125,300,000   $155,900,000

UP/NS At‐Grade Crossing Improvements $14,900,000   $7,600,000

CN At‐Grade Crossing Improvements (Quiet Zone) $13,700,000   $13,700,000

New NS Yard $17,300,000   $17,300,000

Total   $315,000,000   $338,000,000

Costs include engineering, land acquisition and construction in 2010 dollars.
Springfield Rail Improvements Project 3-24 Tier 2 Draft Document 

3.4.5 Operational Issues 

At‐grade street crossings provide conflict points for rail traffic, increasing safety

concerns and vehicle delays.  Minimizing these conflicts benefits both street and rail

users.  The number of at‐grade street crossings for each alternative is shown in Table 3‐3.  

Alternatives 2A and 2B would have the fewest crossings.  Alternatives 1A, 1B and 1C

have the most grade crossings of the Build Alternatives. Grade separations require the

maintenance of bridges. The number of new grade separations for each alternative is

shown in Table 3‐9. Alternative 1C has the most grade separations.     

Table 3‐9.  Number of Existing At‐Grade Street Crossings and Grade Separations

Alternative Number of At‐Grade

Street Crossings

Number of New

Grade Separations

No‐Build 68 0

1A 67 1

1B 60 8

1C 52 16

2A 32 10

2B 28 12

There are no other operational differences among the Build Alternatives. The

operational issues associated with the No‐Build are explained in Tier 1 Draft EIS and are

primarily related to insufficient capacity for the total freight and high speed rail traffic

on the one existing track in the UP’s 3rd Street corridor.  

3.4.6 Impacts to Existing Development 

Additional right‐of‐way is required for all of the alternatives, see Table 3‐10.  

Alternatives 1A, 1B, and 1C would require the least new right‐of‐way of the Build

Alternatives.    

Table 3‐10.  Additional Right‐of‐Way

Alternative Right‐of‐Way Required

(acres)

No‐Build 0

1A 6.0

1B 13.7

1C 21.6

2A 42.0

2B 42.6

3.4.7 Impacts to Social and Economic Resources 

The residential and commercial displacements associated with each alternative are

shown in Table 3‐11.  The parcels with changes to current access are also listed. In most
Springfield Rail Improvements Project 3-25 Tier 2 Draft Document 

cases, this involves the loss of one of multiple access points to the property.  The number

of displacements includes properties that lost all access points.

Table 3‐11. Displacements and Access Changes

Alternative

Displacements Parcels with  

Total Residential Commercial Access Changes

No‐Build 0 0 0 0

1A 36 4 135 175

1B 102 31 219 352

1C 162 42 248 452

2A 108 49 29 186

2B 108 52 41 205

Alternatives 1B and 1C have the largest number of displacements and parcels with

changes in access. Alternative 1A has the fewest. Alternatives 2A and 2B have similar

numbers of displacements and Alternative 2B has more parcels with a change in access

than 2A.   

Alternatives 1A and 1B do not address the issues of neighborhood connectivity and

access to critical community buildings along the 10th Street and 19th Street corridors since

they do not include any new grade separations in these corridors.  

Critical community buildings, such as fire, ambulance, police and medical facilities exist

along each of the corridors, primarily along 3rd Street and 10th Street.  Rail traffic

frequently blocks neighborhood access to these facilities which in some instances, such

as schools, are present to primarily serve that neighborhood.  As stated in the purpose

and need, the number of these facilities along the 3rd Street and 10th Street corridors are:  

3rd Street (1A, 1B, 1C) ‐   96

10th  Street (2A, 2B) ‐  50

Total 146

Alternatives 1A, 1B, and 1C would maintain rail traffic along both the 3rd Street and 10th

Street corridors so that all 146 of these facilities remain affected.  Alternatives 2A and 2B

would reduce the number of facilities affected by rail traffic to 50 along 10th Street.

3.4.8 Tier 2 Screening 

The results of the Tier 2 screening process are summarized in Table 3‐12.

The Tier 2 screening eliminated the following alternatives:

 Alternatives 1A and 1B are not reasonable because of their high annual and lifecycle

costs, and high train horn duration. They do not effectively meet the project

purpose and need as measured by vehicle‐train crashes and vehicle delay. They also

had the highest community and neighborhood impacts and, as shown in Volume 1
Springfield Rail Improvements Project 3-26 Tier 2 Draft Document 

Section 3.3.5.2, most affected environmental justice communities. These alternatives

are also not effective in addressing pedestrian safety concerns along 3rd Street.  

Alternative 1B had the second highest number of displacements and parcels with

access changes.  

 Alternative 1C was not reasonable because of its high number of  at‐grade street

crossings, high capital costs, its large number of  displacements and changes in

access, and it did not present any benefits in safety or reduction in vehicle delay

compared to Alternative 2A or 2B.  It also had a high number of community and

environmental justice impacts.  It had the highest total number of displacements

and parcels with access changes. This alternative also had higher lifecycle costs than

Alternative 2A or 2B.   

3.5 Alternatives Carried Forward 

Alternatives 2A and 2B are the alternatives to be brought forward and analyzed in detail

since they achieve the project purpose and need while minimizing capital and lifecycle

costs and impacts to social resources. These alternatives meet the project purpose and

need by minimizing at‐grade street crossings and the predicted car/train crashes. They

also are effective in reducing vehicle delays. Normal train horn blowing would be

eliminated by these alternatives and they have the lowest annual and lifecycle costs.

Both of these alternatives eliminate rail traffic from Downtown, the Medical District and

the neighborhoods along 3rd Street. They reduce the barrier effect of the NS and CN

corridors by building new grade separations in both rail corridors.     
Springfield Rail Improvements Project 3-27 

Table 3‐12. Summary of Springfield Tier 2 Screening