Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Springfield Rail Improvements Project i Volume II 

Table of Contents 

S.1      Tier 2 Evaluation: Springfield Rail Improvements Project (Volume II)  

Summary ....................................................................................................................................S‐1

            S.1.1 Springfield Background ....................................................................................S‐1  

            S.1.2 Springfield Purpose and Need.........................................................................S‐1

            S.1.3 Springfield Alternatives Considered ..............................................................S‐4

            S.1.4 Summary of Springfield Impacts.....................................................................S‐4

            S.1.5 Environmental Justice ........................................................................................S‐6

            S.1.6 Springfield Preferred Alternative....................................................................S‐8

            S.1.7 Summary of Mitigation......................................................................................S‐9

1.0      INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................... 1‐1

1.1 Tiering Process..................................................................................................... 1‐1

1.2 Tier 1 Alternatives in Springfield.................................................................... 1‐1

1.3 Springfield Rail Improvement Alternatives .................................................. 1‐2

1.4 Anticipated Decisions ........................................................................................ 1‐4

2.0      PURPOSE AND NEED FOR THE SPRINGFIELD RAIL IMPROVEMENTS        

PROJECT.................................................................................................................................... 2‐1

2.1 Project Background............................................................................................. 2‐1

2.1.1     Springfield Rail Improvements Project................................................ 2‐1

2.2 Purpose.................................................................................................................. 2‐5

2.2.1     Chicago to St. Louis High‐Speed Rail .................................................. 2‐5

2.2.2     Springfield Rail Improvements Project................................................ 2‐5

2.3 Need....................................................................................................................... 2‐5

2.3.1     Chicago to St. Louis High‐Speed Rail Program Need ....................... 2‐5

2.3.2     Springfield Rail Improvements Project Need ..................................... 2‐8

2.3.3     Goals and Objectives............................................................................. 2‐16

2.4 Major Authorizing Laws and Regulations ................................................... 2‐17

2.5 Scoping................................................................................................................ 2‐17

3.0      ALTERNATIVES........................................................................................................... 3‐1

3.1 Tier 2 Alternatives Screening Process ............................................................. 3‐1

3.1.1 Alternatives Screening and Selection Process ..................................... 3‐1

3.2 No‐Build Alternative .......................................................................................... 3‐4
Springfield Rail Improvements Project ii Volume II 

3.3 Build Alternatives ............................................................................................... 3‐4

3.3.1 Alternative 1............................................................................................. 3‐5

3.3.2 Alternative 2........................................................................................... 3‐13

3.4 Springfield Tier 2 Screening of Alternatives............................................... 3‐13

3.4.1 Safety....................................................................................................... 3‐13

3.4.2 Congestion.............................................................................................. 3‐17

3.4.3 Livability and Commercial Activity................................................... 3‐18

3.4.4 Present Value and Capital Costs ......................................................... 3‐19

3.4.5 Operational Issues................................................................................. 3‐23

3.4.6 Right‐of‐Way Required ........................................................................ 3‐23

3.4.7 Impacts to Social and Economic Resources ....................................... 3‐24

3.4.8 Tier 2 Screening Results........................................................................ 3‐25

3.5 Alternatives Carried Forward for Detailed Study ...................................... 3‐25

3.6 Preferred Alternative ........................................................................................ 3‐26

4.0      AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT .................................................................................... 4‐1

4.1 Existing Land Use................................................................................................ 4‐1

4.2 Socio‐economic and Environmental Justice Population Characteristics .. 4‐3

4.2.1 Population and Population Distribution ............................................. 4‐3

4.2.2 Demographics.......................................................................................... 4‐3

4.2.3 Economics and Employment................................................................. 4‐4

4.2.4 Income and Wages .................................................................................. 4‐7

4.2.5 Environmental Justice and Title VI....................................................... 4‐7

4.2.6 Transportation Network ...................................................................... 4‐17

4.2.7 Communities, Facilities, and Services ................................................ 4‐17

4.3 Energy.................................................................................................................. 4‐25

4.4 Agriculture.......................................................................................................... 4‐25

4.5 Cultural Resources ............................................................................................ 4‐25

4.5.1 Historic Resources in the Area of Potential Effect............................ 4‐29

4.5.2 Archaeological Resources .................................................................... 4‐32

4.6 Natural Resources ............................................................................................. 4‐33

4.6.1 Ecological Resources............................................................................. 4‐33

4.6.2 Threatened and Endangered Species ................................................. 4‐35

4.6.3 Natural Areas......................................................................................... 4‐38

4.7 Air Quality.......................................................................................................... 4‐38

4.7.1 Air Quality Conformity........................................................................ 4‐38

4.7.2 Mobile Source Air Toxics ..................................................................... 4‐39

4.7.3 Ambient Air Quality............................................................................. 4‐39

4.8 Noise/Vibration ................................................................................................. 4‐40

4.8.1 Noise and Vibration Impact Criteria .................................................. 4‐40
Springfield Rail Improvements Project iii Volume II 

4.8.2 Existing Conditions............................................................................... 4‐45

4.9 Water Quality/Resources ................................................................................. 4‐51

4.9.1 Surface Water Resources ...................................................................... 4‐51

4.9.2 Water Quality......................................................................................... 4‐53

4.9.3 Groundwater.......................................................................................... 4‐53

4.10 Floodplains ......................................................................................................... 4‐53

4.11 Wetlands ............................................................................................................. 4‐54

4.12 Utilities................................................................................................................ 4‐54

4.13 Visual and Aesthetic Quality.......................................................................... 4‐56

4.14 Special Waste ..................................................................................................... 4‐56

4.15 Section 4(f)/6(f) and Parklands ....................................................................... 4‐59

4.15.1 Section 4(f) Resources ........................................................................... 4‐59

4.15.2 Section 6(f) Lands .................................................................................. 4‐62

4.16 Safety and Security ........................................................................................... 4‐62

4.16.1 Rail Operations Safety and Security ................................................... 4‐62

4.16.2 Crossing Safety ...................................................................................... 4‐63

5.0      ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES.................................................................. 5‐1

5.1 Land Use Impacts ................................................................................................ 5‐2

5.1.1 No‐Build Alternative .............................................................................. 5‐2

5.1.2 The Preferred Alternative and Alternative 2B .................................... 5‐2

5.2 Socio‐economics, Environmental Justice, and Community Impacts......... 5‐3

5.2.1 Relocation................................................................................................. 5‐3

5.2.2 Environmental Justice and Title VI....................................................... 5‐8

5.2.3 Public Services/Facilities ...................................................................... 5‐13

5.2.4 Community Impacts ............................................................................. 5‐14

5.2.5 Economic Benefits and Impacts........................................................... 5‐27

5.3 Energy.................................................................................................................. 5‐28

5.4 Agriculture.......................................................................................................... 5‐29

5.5 Cultural Resources ............................................................................................ 5‐29

5.5.1 Archaeological Resources .................................................................... 5‐33

5.6 Natural Resources ............................................................................................. 5‐34

5.6.1 Threatened and Endangered Species ................................................. 5‐34

5.6.2       Natural Areas....................................................................................... 5‐34

5.7 Air Quality.......................................................................................................... 5‐34

5.7.1 Conformity ............................................................................................. 5‐34

5.7.2 Mobile Source Air Toxics ..................................................................... 5‐35

5.7.3 Local Air Quality................................................................................... 5‐35
Springfield Rail Improvements Project iv Volume II 

5.7.4 Construction Impacts............................................................................ 5‐37

5.8 Noise/Vibration ................................................................................................. 5‐37

5.8.1 Noise and Vibration Projections ......................................................... 5‐37

5.8.2 Noise and Vibration Impact Assessment........................................... 5‐41

5.8.3 Construction Noise Impact Assessment ............................................ 5‐45

5.8.4 Noise and Vibration Mitigation .......................................................... 5‐46

5.9 Water Quality/Resources ................................................................................. 5‐48

5.9.1 Surface Water Impacts.......................................................................... 5‐48

5.9.2 Groundwater.......................................................................................... 5‐49

5.10 Floodplains ......................................................................................................... 5‐49

5.11 Wetlands ............................................................................................................. 5‐50

5.12 Utilities................................................................................................................ 5‐50

5.13 Visual and Aesthetic Quality.......................................................................... 5‐50

5.14 Special Waste ..................................................................................................... 5‐50

5.15 Section 4(f)/6(f) and Parklands ....................................................................... 5‐50

5.16 Safety and Security ........................................................................................... 5‐50

5.17 Permits................................................................................................................. 5‐54

5.18 Construction Impacts........................................................................................ 5‐54

5.19 Indirect and Cumulative Impacts................................................................... 5‐55

5.19.1 Indirect Impacts..................................................................................... 5‐55

5.19.2 Cumulative Impacts.............................................................................. 5‐56

5.20 Other Impacts..................................................................................................... 5‐57

5.20.1 Railroad Operations.............................................................................. 5‐57

5.20.2 Reduce Train Horn Blowing................................................................ 5‐58

5.21 The Relationship Between Local Short‐Term Uses and Man’s

Environment and the Maintenance and Enhancement of Long‐Term

Productivity........................................................................................................ 5‐59

5.22 Irreversible and Irretrievable Commitments of Resources....................... 5‐59

5.23 Transportation Impacts .................................................................................... 5‐60

5.23.1 Service Development Plan ................................................................... 5‐60

5.23.2 Capital Cost............................................................................................ 5‐60

5.23.3 Travel Benefits ....................................................................................... 5‐60

5.23.4 Additional Impacts to Rail, Air and Bus Service .............................. 5‐61

5.24 Mitigation Actions ............................................................................................ 5‐61

6.0      COMMENTS AND COORDINATION.................................................................... 6‐1

6.1 Agency Coordination.......................................................................................... 6‐1
Springfield Rail Improvements Project v Volume II 

6.1.1 Federal Agency Coordination ............................................................... 6‐1

6.1.2 State Agency Coordination.................................................................... 6‐2

6.1.3 Local Governments ................................................................................. 6‐2

6.2 Technical Committee.......................................................................................... 6‐3

6.3 Public Involvement Activities .......................................................................... 6‐3

6.3.1 Stakeholder Interviews........................................................................... 6‐3

6.3.2 Stakeholder Advisory Groups............................................................... 6‐3

6.3.3 Communications, Outreach, and Engagement................................... 6‐4

6.3.4 Public Open Houses Prior to Draft EIS ................................................ 6‐6

6.3.5 Springfield Public Hearing .................................................................. 6‐11

6.3.6 Comments on the Tier 2 Draft EIS ...................................................... 6‐12

7.0      LIST OF PREPARERS................................................................................................... 7‐1

8.0      DISTRIBUTION OF THE FINAL EIS....................................................................... 8‐1

9.0      REFERENCES................................................................................................................. 9‐1

APPENDICES

Appendix A Correspondence

Appendix B Alternatives 2A and 2B Exhibits

Appendix C Environmental Justice Analysis Technical Report

Appendix D Special Waste

Appendix E Public Involvement

Appendix F Public Hearing Documentation
Springfield Rail Improvements Project vi Volume II 

Exhibits 

Exhibit S.1‐1.  Existing Railroad Corridors ............................................................................ S‐3

Exhibit 2‐1A.  Project Location ................................................................................................ 2‐2

Exhibit 2‐1B.  Project Area Location........................................................................................ 2‐3

Exhibit 2‐2.  Existing Railroad Corridors ............................................................................... 2‐7

Exhibit 2‐3.  Existing Tracks on 3rd Street............................................................................. 2‐11

Exhibit 2‐4.  Location and Magnitude of Crossing Delays ................................................ 2‐13

Exhibit 2‐5.  Springfield’s Medical District .......................................................................... 2‐15

Exhibit 3‐1.  Alternative 1A...................................................................................................... 3‐8

Exhibit 3‐2.  Alternative 1B....................................................................................................... 3‐9

Exhibit 3‐3.  Alternative 1C .................................................................................................... 3‐10

Exhibit 3‐4.  Passenger Station on 3rd Street......................................................................... 3‐12

Exhibit 3‐5.  Alternative 2A.................................................................................................... 3‐14

Exhibit 3‐6.  Alternative 2B..................................................................................................... 3‐15

Exhibit 3‐7.  Passenger Station on 10th Street ....................................................................... 3‐16

Exhibit 4‐1.  Existing Land Use................................................................................................ 4‐2

Exhibit 4‐2.  Economic Activity Centers................................................................................. 4‐6

Exhibit 4‐3.  Racial Minority Percentages by Census Block............................................... 4‐12

Exhibit 4‐4.  Black Population percentages by Census Block............................................ 4‐13

Exhibit 4‐5.  Racial Minority other than Black Percentages by Census Block................. 4‐14

Exhibit 4‐6.  Hispanic or Latino Minority Percentages by Census Block ........................ 4‐15

Exhibit 4‐7.  Low‐Income Percentages by Census Block.................................................... 4‐16

Exhibit 4‐8.  Roadways ........................................................................................................... 4‐18

Exhibit 4‐9.  Bus Routes .......................................................................................................... 4‐22

Exhibit 4‐10.  Neighborhood Associations........................................................................... 4‐23

Exhibit 4‐11.  Community Facilities ...................................................................................... 4‐24

Exhibit 4‐12.  Bike Trails ......................................................................................................... 4‐26

Exhibit 4‐13.  National Register Sites within the Area of Potential Effect (APE) ........... 4‐28

Exhibit 4‐14. Noise and Vibration Locations ....................................................................... 4‐46

Exhibit 4‐15. Watersheds ........................................................................................................ 4‐51

Exhibit 4‐16. Streams and Floodplains ................................................................................. 4‐52

Exhibit 4‐17. NWI Mapped Wetlands................................................................................... 4‐55

Exhibit 4‐18.  Section 4/6(f) Parks and Recreational Facilities ........................................... 4‐61

Exhibit 5‐1A. Adverse Travel Preferred Alternative .......................................................... 5‐15

Exhibit 5‐1B. Adverse Travel Preferred Alternative........................................................... 5‐16

Exhibit 5‐1C. Adverse Travel Preferred Alternative .......................................................... 5‐17

Exhibit 5‐2A. Adverse Travel Alternative 2B ...................................................................... 5‐18

Exhibit 5‐2B. Adverse Travel Alternative 2B....................................................................... 5‐19

Exhibit 5‐2C. Adverse Travel Alternative 2B....................................................................... 5‐20

Exhibit 5‐3.  Underpass – 10th Street...................................................................................... 5‐23

Exhibit 5‐4.  Underpass Separation – 19th Street.................................................................. 5‐24

  
Springfield Rail Improvements Project vii Volume II 

Tables 

Table S.1‐1. Environmental Impact Summary of Alternatives 2A and 2B ........................ S‐4

Table S.1‐2. Mitigation .............................................................................................................. S‐9

Table 1‐1. Summary of Springfield Tier 1 Screening............................................................ 1‐3

Table 2‐1. Number of Trains Through Springfield............................................................... 2‐8

Table 2‐2. Springfield At‐Grade Crossings and Grade Separations................................... 2‐9

Table 2‐3. Springfield Illinois ICC Accident Data for all Years (1955‐2010)...................... 2‐9

Table 2‐4. Springfield Illinois ICC Trespassing Incidents, 2000‐2010 ................................ 2‐9

Table 2‐5. Community Buildings Along 3rd Street and 10th Street Corridors .................. 2‐15

Table 3‐1. Tier 2 Objectives and Screening Criteria .............................................................. 3‐2

Table 3‐2.  Tier 2 Alternatives .................................................................................................. 3‐7

Table 3‐3. Predicted Crashes .................................................................................................. 3‐17

Table 3‐4. Vehicle Delays........................................................................................................ 3‐17

Table 3‐5. Horn Blowing......................................................................................................... 3‐18

Table 3‐6. Annual and Rehabilitation Cost Assumptions.................................................. 3‐19

Table 3‐7. Present Value of Annual and Rehabilitation Costs (Millions) ........................ 3‐21

Table 3‐8.  Capital Cost for Each Alternative....................................................................... 3‐21

Table 3‐9.  Number of At‐Grade Street Crossings and New Grade Separations............ 3‐23

Table 3‐10. Additional Right‐of‐Way.................................................................................... 3‐24

Table 3‐11. Displacements and Access Changes ................................................................. 3‐24

Table 3‐12. Summary of Springfield Tier 2 Screening........................................................ 3‐28

Table 4‐1.  Land Uses Within the Project Area...................................................................... 4‐1

Table 4‐2.  Populations and Households................................................................................ 4‐3

Table 4‐3.  Population by Racial Composition (2010)........................................................... 4‐4

Table 4‐4. Labor Force Estimates for 2010.............................................................................. 4‐4

Table 4‐5. Employment by Industry Category for Sangamon County for 2009 ............... 4‐5

Table 4‐6. Major Employers in Sangamon County (November 2009)................................ 4‐5

Table 4‐7. Median Household Income.................................................................................... 4‐7

Table 4‐8. Race and Ethnic Characteristics in 2010 by Percent ......................................... 4‐10

Table 4‐9. Median Household Income and Poverty Status in 2010.................................. 4‐10

Table 4‐10.  Racial and Ethnic Minorities, and Low‐Income Populations....................... 4‐11

Table 4‐11.  Streets Crossed by Rail Corridor...................................................................... 4‐19

Table 4‐12.  NHRP and NHRP‐Eligible Resources within the APE ‐ 10th Street          

Corridor (1) ..........................................................................................................  4‐30

Table 4‐13.  Air Quality Monitor Data for Springfield, Illinois (2007‐2009).................... 4‐39

Table 4‐14.  FTA Land Use Categories.................................................................................. 4‐41

Table 4‐15.  FTA Ground‐Borne Vibration and Ground‐Borne Noise Impact Criteria . 4‐44

Table 4‐16.  Ground‐Borne Vibration and Noise Impact Criteria for Special Buildings4‐44

Table 4‐17.  FTA Construction Noise Criteria ..................................................................... 4‐45

Table 4‐18.  Summary of Existing Ambient Noise Measurement Results....................... 4‐47

Table 4‐19.  Existing Vibration Measurements Locations (1) .............................................. 4‐50
Springfield Rail Improvements Project viii Volume II 

Table 4‐20.  CERCLIS Sites within the Project Area ........................................................... 4‐58

Table 4‐21.  Hazardous Materials Sites within Project Area (10th Street Corridor)........ 4‐58

Table 5‐1. Environmental Impact Summary of the Preferred Alternative and    

Alternative 2B........................................................................................................... 5‐1

Table 5‐2.  Residential and Commercial Displacements ...................................................... 5‐3

Table 5‐3. Environmental Justice Analysis Summary ........................................................ 5‐10

Table 5‐4. Miles of Rail Corridor Through Residential Neighborhoods ......................... 5‐21

Table 5‐5. Grade Separations ................................................................................................. 5‐22

Table 5‐6. Maximum Adverse Travel for Enterprise Street............................................... 5‐25

Table 5‐7. Properties of Architectural Significance within the Area of Potential Effect‐ 

10th Street Corridor (1)............................................................................................. 5‐32

Table 5‐8.  Summary of Noise Impact Results..................................................................... 5‐42

Table 5‐9.  The Preferred Alternative and Alternative 2B Land Use Category 2 Vibration

Impact Summary ................................................................................................... 5‐43

Table 5‐10.  The Preferred Alternative and Alternative 2B Land Use Category 3 Vibration

Impact Summary ................................................................................................... 5‐44

Table 5‐11.  Potential Resources Not Qualifying for Protection Under Section 4(f) ...... 5‐53

Table 5‐12.  Predicted Crashes ............................................................................................... 5‐53

Table 5‐13.  Number of At‐Grade Street Crossing for each Alternative .......................... 5‐58

Table 5‐14.  Horn Blowing  ..................................................................................................... 5‐58

Table 5‐15.  Capital Cost for each Alternative ..................................................................... 5‐60

Table 5‐16.  Mitigation Commitments .................................................................................. 5‐62

Table 6‐1.  Community Presentations..................................................................................... 6‐5

Table 6‐2.  Public Response Summary ‐ Alternative Which Best Addresses

Accommodating Increasing Rail Traffic............................................................... 6‐9

Table 6‐3.  Public Response Summary ‐ Factors Considered in Alternative Selection.. 6‐10
Springfield Rail Improvements Project ix Volume II 

Charts 

Chart 4‐1.  FTA Project Noise Impact Criteria..................................................................... 4‐42

Chart 4‐2.  Increase in Cumulative Noise Exposure Allowed by FTA Criteria.............. 4‐43