The preferred alternative is the Chicago - St. Louis Second Mainline Track project. This is the next phase in development following the Chicago - St. Louis HSR Corridor Project, approved by FRA under the 2003 EIS and 2004 ROD. The Chicago - St. Louis route has been designated as a 110-mph corridor for the Midwest Regional Rail Initiative. The Preferred Alternative is located primarily within the State of Illinois between the cities of Chicago and St. Louis, Missouri, on the UP Railroad's Joliet and Springfield subdivisions. The graphic below shows the project routing.
The second mainline track will be primarily within existing right-of-way, although some additional right-of-way may be required. Currently, there is one track and sidings along this alignment, which is the remnant of a former double track railroad that was scaled back to a single track by the former owners. The current track alignment varies from side to side within the right-of-way. Therefore, existing trackage will be rehabilitated, replaced, and/or realigned to establish two parallel tracks where there is now one track. In addition, some siding track will be extended within the right-of-way. The project will use premium rail, concrete ties, and a wider track-center spacing that ultimately will be suitable for higher-speed rail operation. Where feasible, construction activities and staging areas will be within existing Union Pacific right-of-way. Construction is expected to begin in 2011 and end in 2015. No displacements are expected from additional right-of-way that may be required.
The proposed second track will provide for immediate improvements to existing Amtrak service. Acknowledged "choke points" in the corridor will be alleviated, and two trains will be able to utilize the corridor at the same time. This will provide for improved operation of existing and proposed Amtrak passenger trains within the corridor, as meets with UPRR freight trains can be better scheduled and accommodated. Further, this project will complement improvement activities provided for in the 2003 Final EIS.
Within the Chicago - St. Louis Corridor, there are numerous at-grade crossings that may be modified with the addition of a second track. Because the corridor previously had two tracks, the vast majority of the current at-grade crossing areas are wide enough to accommodate the addition of a second track. However, because the two tracks will require more space than the one existing track, the safety and warning signs may need to be relocated to accommodate the second track. At some crossings, the automatic crossing gates will need to be relocated, and some will need to be re-configured because of the second track.
Increases in train speeds warrant an increase in the level of grade crossing warning or protection. Consistent with FRA guidelines and good engineering practice, crossings will be warned or protected as appropriate. With the addition of a second track, some crossings will warrant alternative treatments to those that now exist. These modifications may include installation of new protection devices, installation of warning devices and/or installation of electrical lines.