U.S. Department of Transportation

Federal Railroad Administration

June 2012

Tier 2: Springfield Rail Improvements Project

Volume II

prepared by:
Springfield Rail Improvements Project Tier 2 Draft Document 

Tier 2:

Springfield Rail Improvements Project

Springfield, Illinois

Volume II

Prepared by:

June 2012

DRAFT
Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Springfield Rail Improvements Project i Tier 2 Draft Document 

Table of Contents 

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

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

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

1.3 Anticipated Decisions ........................................................................................ 1‐5

2.0      PURPOSE AND NEED FOR THE SPRINGFIELD RAIL IMPROVEMENTS        

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

2.1 Project Purpose .................................................................................................... 2‐1

2.1.1     Chicago to St. Louis High Speed Rail................................................... 2‐1

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

2.2 Project Need ......................................................................................................... 2‐5

2.2.1     Chicago to St. Louis Need...................................................................... 2‐5

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

2.2.3     Goals and Objectives............................................................................. 2‐14

2.3 Project Background........................................................................................... 2‐14

2.3.1 Springfield Rail Improvements Project.............................................. 2‐15

2.4 Major Authorizing Laws and Regulations ................................................... 2‐16

2.5 Scoping................................................................................................................ 2‐16

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

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

3.1.1 Tier 2 Screening and Selection Process................................................. 3‐1

3.2 No Action – No Build Alternative.................................................................... 3‐4

3.3 Action – Build Alternatives ............................................................................... 3‐5

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

3.3.2 Alternative 2........................................................................................... 3‐11

3.4 Springfield Tier 2 Screening of Alternatives............................................... 3‐17

3.4.1 Safety....................................................................................................... 3‐17

3.4.2 Congestion.............................................................................................. 3‐18

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

3.4.4 Lifecycle and Capital Costs.................................................................. 3‐19

3.4.5 Operational Issues................................................................................. 3‐24

3.4.6 Impacts to Existing Development....................................................... 3‐24

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

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

3.5 Alternatives Carried Forward ......................................................................... 3‐26
Springfield Rail Improvements Project ii Tier 2 Draft Document 

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

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

4.2 Socioeconomic and Community Characteristics........................................... 4‐3

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

4.2.2 Racial Composition................................................................................. 4‐4

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

4.2.4 Income and Wages .................................................................................. 4‐6

4.2.5 Environmental Justice and Title VI....................................................... 4‐8

4.2.6 Transportation Network ...................................................................... 4‐13

4.2.7 Communities, Facilities, and Services ................................................ 4‐16

4.3 Energy.................................................................................................................. 4‐21

4.4 Cultural Resources ............................................................................................ 4‐21

4.4.1 Project Area – 10th Street Corridor ...................................................... 4‐23

4.4.2 Archaeological Resources .................................................................... 4‐27

4.5 Natural Resources ............................................................................................. 4‐28

4.5.1 Geology and Soils.................................................................................. 4‐28

4.5.2 Ecological Resources............................................................................. 4‐32

4.5.3 Threatened and Endangered Species ................................................. 4‐34

4.5.4 Natural Areas......................................................................................... 4‐37

4.6 Air Quality.......................................................................................................... 4‐37

4.6.1 Air Quality Conformity........................................................................ 4‐37

4.6.2 Ambient Air Quality............................................................................. 4‐38

4.7 Noise/Vibration ................................................................................................. 4‐39

4.7.1 Noise and Vibration Impact Criteria .................................................. 4‐39

4.7.2 Existing Conditions............................................................................... 4‐44

4.8 Water Quality/Resources ................................................................................. 4‐50

4.8.1 Surface Water Resources ...................................................................... 4‐50

4.8.2 Water Quality......................................................................................... 4‐53

4.8.3 Groundwater.......................................................................................... 4‐53

4.9 Floodplains ......................................................................................................... 4‐55

4.10 Wetlands ............................................................................................................. 4‐55

4.11 Special Waste ..................................................................................................... 4‐56

4.11.1 SProject Area – 10th Street Corridor.................................................... 4‐59

4.12 Special Lands ..................................................................................................... 4‐60

4.12.1 Section 4(f) Resources ........................................................................... 4‐60

4.12.2 Section 6(f) Lands .................................................................................. 4‐61

4.13 Public Health, Safety and Security ................................................................ 4‐63

4.13.1 Rail Operations Safety and Security ................................................... 4‐63

4.13.2 Crossing Safety ...................................................................................... 4‐64
Springfield Rail Improvements Project iii Tier 2 Draft Document 

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

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

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

5.1.2 Alternatives 2A/2B ................................................................................ 5‐19

5.2 Socioeconomics and Environmental Justice ................................................ 5‐19

5.2.1 Displacements........................................................................................ 5‐19

5.2.2 Public Services/Facilities ...................................................................... 5‐25

5.2.3 Community Impacts ............................................................................. 5‐26

5.2.4 Economic Impacts ................................................................................. 5‐38

5.3 Energy.................................................................................................................. 5‐41

5.4 Cultural Resources ............................................................................................ 5‐41

5.4.1 Archaeological Resources .................................................................... 5‐47

5.5 Agriculture.......................................................................................................... 5‐47

5.6 Air Quality.......................................................................................................... 5‐47

5.6.1 Conformity ............................................................................................. 5‐47

5.6.2 Local Air Quality................................................................................... 5‐47

5.6.3 Construction Impacts............................................................................ 5‐48

5.7 Noise/Vibration ................................................................................................. 5‐49

5.7.1 Noise and Vibration Projections ......................................................... 5‐49

5.7.2 Noise and Vibration Impact Assessment........................................... 5‐52

5.7.3 Construction Noise Impact Assessment ............................................ 5‐57

5.7.4 Noise and Vibration Mitigation .......................................................... 5‐57

5.8 Water Quality/Resources ................................................................................. 5‐59

5.8.1 Surface Water Impacts.......................................................................... 5‐59

5.9 Utilities................................................................................................................ 5‐60

5.10 Visual and Aesthetic Quality.......................................................................... 5‐61

5.11 Special Waste ..................................................................................................... 5‐61

5.12 Special Lands ..................................................................................................... 5‐61

5.13 Public Health, Safety and Security ................................................................ 5‐63

5.14 Permits................................................................................................................. 5‐64

5.15 Construction Impacts........................................................................................ 5‐65

5.16 Indirect and Cumulative Impacts................................................................... 5‐65

5.16.1 Indirect Impacts..................................................................................... 5‐65

5.16.2 Cumulative Impacts.............................................................................. 5‐67

5.17 Other Impacts..................................................................................................... 5‐68

5.17.1 Railroad Operations.............................................................................. 5‐68
Springfield Rail Improvements Project iv Tier 2 Draft Document 

5.17.2 Reduce Train Horn Blowing................................................................ 5‐68

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

Environment and the Maintenance and Enhancement of Long‐Term

Productivity........................................................................................................ 5‐69

5.19 Irreversible and Irretrievable Commitments of Resources....................... 5‐69

5.20 Transportation Impacts .................................................................................... 5‐70

5.20.1 Service Development Plan ................................................................... 5‐70

5.20.2 Capital Cost............................................................................................ 5‐70

5.20.3 Travel Benefits ....................................................................................... 5‐71

5.20.4 Additional Impacts to Rail, Air and Bus Service .............................. 5‐71

5.21 Mitigation Actions ............................................................................................ 5‐71

5.22 Preferred Alternative ........................................................................................ 5‐72

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

6.1 Agency Coordination.......................................................................................... 6‐1

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............................................................... 6‐4

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

6.3.4 Public Open Houses................................................................................ 6‐5

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

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

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

APPENDICES

Appendix A Correspondence

Appendix B Special Waste

Appendix C Newsletters
Springfield Rail Improvements Project v Tier 2 Draft Document 

Exhibits 

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

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

Exhibit 2‐2. Existing Railroad Corridors ................................................................................ 2‐4

Exhibit 2‐3.  Existing Tracks on 3rd Street............................................................................... 2‐8

Exhibit 2‐4.  Location and Magnitude of Crossing Delays ................................................ 2‐10

Exhibit 2‐5.  Springfield’s Medical District .......................................................................... 2‐12

Exhibit 3‐1.  Alternative 1A...................................................................................................... 3‐7

Exhibit 3‐2.  Alternative 1B....................................................................................................... 3‐8

Exhibit 3‐3.  Alternative 1C ...................................................................................................... 3‐9

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

Exhibit 3‐5.  Alternative 2A.................................................................................................... 3‐13

Exhibit 3‐6.  Alternative 2B..................................................................................................... 3‐14

Exhibit 3‐7.  Passenger Station on 10th Street ....................................................................... 3‐19

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

Exhibit 4‐2.  Economic Activity Centers................................................................................. 4‐7

Exhibit 4‐3. Census Blocks with Minority Populations > 50 Percent................................ 4‐11

Exhibit 4‐4.  Roadways ........................................................................................................... 4‐14

Exhibit 4‐5. Bus Routes ........................................................................................................... 4‐15

Exhibit 4‐6. Neighborhood Associations.............................................................................. 4‐17

Exhibit 4‐7. Community Facilities ......................................................................................... 4‐18

Exhibit 4‐8.  Bike Trails ........................................................................................................... 4‐20

Exhibit 4‐9.  National Register Sites ...................................................................................... 4‐22

Exhibit 4‐10.  Physiographic Divisions................................................................................. 4‐29

Exhibit 4‐11.  Bedrock Geology.............................................................................................. 4‐30

Exhibit 4‐12.  Underground Mining...................................................................................... 4‐31

Exhibit 4‐13. Noise and Vibration Locations ....................................................................... 4‐45

Exhibit 4‐14.  Watersheds ....................................................................................................... 4‐51

Exhibit 4‐15.  Streams and Floodplains ................................................................................ 4‐52

Exhibit 4‐16.  Wells and Aquifers .......................................................................................... 4‐54

Exhibit 4‐17.  NWI Mapped Wetlands.................................................................................. 4‐57

Exhibit 4‐18.  Parks .................................................................................................................. 4‐62

Exhibit 5‐1.  Alternative 2A and 2B – Key Map..................................................................... 5‐3

Exhibit 5‐1A.  Alternative 2A................................................................................................... 5‐4

Exhibit 5‐1B.  Alternative 2A ................................................................................................... 5‐5

Exhibit 5‐1C.  Alternative 2A................................................................................................... 5‐6

Exhibit 5‐1D.  Alternative 2A................................................................................................... 5‐7

Exhibit 5‐1E.  Alternative 2A ................................................................................................... 5‐8

Exhibit 5‐1F.  Alternative 2A.................................................................................................... 5‐9

Exhibit 5‐1G.  Alternative 2A................................................................................................. 5‐10

Exhibit 5‐1H.  Alternative 2A................................................................................................. 5‐11

Exhibit 5‐1I.  Alternative 2A................................................................................................... 5‐12

Exhibit 5‐1J.  Alternative 2A................................................................................................... 5‐13
Springfield Rail Improvements Project vi Tier 2 Draft Document 

Exhibit 5‐1K.  Alternative 2A................................................................................................. 5‐14

Exhibit 5‐1L.  Alternative 2A ................................................................................................. 5‐15

Exhibit 5‐2A.  Alternative 2B ................................................................................................. 5‐16

Exhibit 5‐2B.  Alternative 2B .................................................................................................. 5‐17

Exhibit 5‐2C.  Alternative 2B.................................................................................................. 5‐18

Exhibit 5‐3A.  Adverse Travel Alternative 2A..................................................................... 5‐29

Exhibit 5‐3B.  Adverse Travel Alternative 2A ..................................................................... 5‐30

Exhibit 5‐3C.  Adverse Travel Alternative 2A..................................................................... 5‐31

Exhibit 5‐4A.  Adverse Travel Alternative 2B ..................................................................... 5‐34

Exhibit 5‐4B.  Adverse Travel Alternative 2B...................................................................... 5‐35

Exhibit 5‐4C.  Adverse Travel Alternative 2B...................................................................... 5‐36

Exhibit 5‐5.  Underpass – 10th St. ........................................................................................... 5‐39

Exhibit 5‐6.  Underpass Separation – 19th St. ....................................................................... 5‐40

  
Springfield Rail Improvements Project vii Tier 2 Draft Document 

Tables 

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

Table 2‐1. Number of Trains Through Springfield............................................................... 2‐6

Table 2‐2. Springfield At‐Grade Crossings and Grade Separations................................... 2‐7

Table 2‐3. Springfield Illinois ICC Accident Data for all Years (1955‐2010)...................... 2‐7

Table 2‐4. Springfield Illinois ICC Trespassing Incidents, 2000‐2010 ................................ 2‐7

Table 2‐5. Business Types along 3rd Street and 10th Street Corridors................................ 2‐13

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

Table 3‐2.  Tier 2 Alternatives ................................................................................................ 3‐10

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

Table 3‐4. Vehicle Delays........................................................................................................ 3‐18

Table 3‐5. Horn Blowing......................................................................................................... 3‐19

Table 3‐6. Annual and Lifecycle Cost Assumptions........................................................... 3‐20

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

Table 3‐8.  Capital Cost for Each Alternative....................................................................... 3‐22

Table 3‐9.  Number of Existing At‐Grade Street Crossings and Grade Separations...... 3‐24

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

Table 3‐11. Displacements and Access Changes ................................................................. 3‐25

Table 3‐12. Summary of Springfield Tier 2 Screening........................................................ 3‐27

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)................................ 4‐6

Table 4‐7. Median Household Income.................................................................................... 4‐8

Table 4‐8.  Minority Population and Poverty Level ............................................................. 4‐9

Table 4‐9. Environmental Justice Populations..................................................................... 4‐12

Table 4‐10. Neighborhood Associations along the Project Area....................................... 4‐16

Table 4‐11.  Significant Property Count in the 10th Street Corridor (1) .............................. 4‐24

Table 4‐12.  Air Quality Monitor Data for Springfield, Illinois (2007‐2009).................... 4‐38

Table 4‐13.  FTA Land Use Categories.................................................................................. 4‐40

Table 4‐14.  FTA Ground‐Borne Vibration and Ground‐Borne Noise Impact Criteria . 4‐43

Table 4‐15.  Ground‐Borne Vibration and Noise Impact Criteria for Special Buildings4‐43

Table 4‐16.  FTA Construction Noise Criteria ..................................................................... 4‐44

Table 4‐17.  Summary of Existing Ambient Noise Measurement Results....................... 4‐46

Table 4‐18.  Summary of Existing Vibration Measurements (1) ......................................... 4‐49

Table 4‐19.  CERCLIS Sites ..................................................................................................... 4‐59

Table 4‐20.  Hazardous Materials Sites within Project Area (10th Street Corridor)........ 4‐60

Table 5‐1. Environmental Impact Summary of Alternatives 2A and 2B ........................... 5‐1

Table 5‐2.  Residential and Commercial Displacements .................................................... 5‐21

Table 5‐3. Miles of Rail Traffic Through Residential Neighborhoods ............................. 5‐26
Springfield Rail Improvements Project viii Tier 2 Draft Document 

Table 5‐4. Maximum Adverse Travel for Enterprise Street............................................... 5‐32

Table 5‐5. Grade Separations ................................................................................................. 5‐37

Table 5‐6. Properties of Architectural Significance within the Area of Potential Effect‐ 

10th Street Corridor (1) .............................................................................................................. 5‐44

Table 5‐7.  Summary of Noise Impact Results..................................................................... 5‐53

Table 5‐8.  Alternatives 2A and 2B Land Use Category 2 Vibration Impact Summary. 5‐55

Table 5‐9.  Alternatives 2A and 2B Land Use Category 3 Vibration Impact Summary. 5‐56

Table 5‐10.  Potential Resources Not Qualifying for Protection Under Section 4(f) ...... 5‐63

Table 5‐11.  Predicted Crashes ............................................................................................... 5‐64

Table 5‐12.  Number of At‐Grade Street Crossing for each Alternative .......................... 5‐68

Table 5‐13.  Horn Blowing  ..................................................................................................... 5‐69

Table 5‐14.  Capital Cost for each Alternative ..................................................................... 5‐71

Table 5‐15.  Mitigation Actions.............................................................................................. 5‐72

Table 6‐1.  Public Response Summary ‐ Alternative Which Best Addresses

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

Table 6‐2.  Public Response Summary ‐ Factors Considered in Alternative Selection.. 6‐10
Springfield Rail Improvements Project ix Tier 2 Draft Document 

Charts 

Chart 4‐1.  FTA Project Noise Impact Criteria..................................................................... 4‐41

Chart 4‐2.  Increase in Cumulative Noise Exposure Allowed by FTA Criteria.............. 4‐42