grand crossing rail project (p4) · 5/12/2014 · solution re-route amtrak trains from the canadian...

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GRAND CROSSING GRAND CROSSING RAIL PROJECT (P4)RAIL PROJECT (P4)

Community Advisory Group Community Advisory Group March 25, 2014 March 25, 2014 ●● 1:30 pm1:30 pm

Sherwood Park Field HouseSherwood Park Field House5701 S. Shields Avenue, Chicago5701 S. Shields Avenue, Chicago

GRAND CROSSING GRAND CROSSING RAIL PROJECT (P4)RAIL PROJECT (P4)

Community Advisory Group Community Advisory Group March 26, 2014 March 26, 2014 ●● 1:30 pm1:30 pm

Grand Crossing Park Field HouseGrand Crossing Park Field House7655 S. Ingleside Avenue, Chicago7655 S. Ingleside Avenue, Chicago

Welcome!Welcome!

• Agenda:– Welcome/Introductions

– Recap and Review

– Draft EIS Impact Evaluation

– Potential Mitigation Measures

G Di i– Group Discussion

– Next Steps

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Context Sensitive SolutionsContext Sensitive Solutions

• Shared stakeholder vision

• Comprehensive understanding of project context

• Continuing communication and gcollaboration to achieve consensus

• Flexible and creative transportation solutions that enhance the community and natural environment

Ground RulesGround Rules

• All input from all participants is valued and considered

• All participants come to the table with an open mind and participate openly and honestly

• All participants treat each other with respect and dignity• All participants treat each other with respect and dignity

• Consensus is defined as a majority of the stakeholders in agreement, with the minority agreeing that their input was duly considered

• All decisions are arrived at in a clear and transparent manner

Goals for TodayGoals for Today

• Present impact evaluation results

• Brainstorm potential mitigation measures to lessen the project’sto lessen the project s impacts and expand its benefits to the community

• Hear your input on the Draft EIS

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Recap and ReviewRecap and Review

What is CREATE?What is CREATE?

CChicagohicago

RRegion egion

EEEEnvironmentalnvironmental

AAndnd

TTransportation ransportation

EEfficiency Programfficiency Program

Grand Crossing Rail ProjectGrand Crossing Rail Project

The Project Purpose is to provide a new direct route for Amtrak trains from New Orleans or Carbondale into Chicago Union Stationinto Chicago Union Station, and to provide sufficient mainline capacity to accommodate Amtrak and freight trains.

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CREATE Program Map

Grand Crossing Rail Project Study Area



CREATE Program Map

16th Street Interlocking

Union Station

Currently…Currently…

• Trains back into Union Station

• Trains cross through congested g g16th St crossing

Together, these issues add 19 minutes of travel time each way

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SolutionSolution

Re-route Amtrak trains from the Canadian National (CN) tracks to the Norfolk SouthernNorfolk Southern (NS) tracks

At our previous meetings…At our previous meetings…

• Initial Alternatives (November 2011)

• Range of Alternatives (March 2012)

R f Alt ti S i• Range of Alternatives Screening (October 2012)

Initial AlternativesInitial Alternatives

• CREATE Feasibility Study looked at all routes into Union Station from the south

• Determined that the NS route was the only feasible option for re-routing Illini-Saluki-City of New Orleans trains

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Each Build Each Build Alternative is Alternative is composed of:composed of:

C ti b t

Rail signal improvements near 115th Street

Connection between the CN and NS lines

One of two South alignments

One of two North alignments

South AlignmentsSouth Alignments

• South 1 – Provide new single track along south side of NS between CN connection and Dan Ryan Expressway

• South 2 – Add capacity p yalong north side of NS between Stony Island Ave and Dan Ryan Expressway

North AlignmentsNorth Alignments

• North 1 – New double track connection between NS and Metra

• North 2 – New single track east of NStrack east of NS

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Screening Results: Weighing the TradeScreening Results: Weighing the Trade--offsoffs

• North 1 would impact fewer buildings than North 2, although more dwelling units would be impacted

• North 1 would not impact any community facilities, while North 2 would directly impact Sherwood and

Given these factors, the alternatives that include the North 1 alignment are preferable to those that include the North 2 alignment

while North 2 would directly impact Sherwood and Fuller Parks, as well as the Eden Place Nature Center

Screening Results: Weighing the TradeScreening Results: Weighing the Trade--offsoffs

• Estimated cost of South 1 is $45M, versus $61M for South 2

• South 1 requires that less new infrastructure be built, and is better from a railroad operational perspective

Given these factors, the recommended build alternative is Build Alternative A, which combines the North 1 and South 1 Alignments

and is better from a railroad operational perspective

Screening Results Screening Results SummarySummary

• Alternatives to be evaluated in Draft EIS:

– No Build Alternative

– Build Alternative A

Initial Alternatives (1a, 1b, 2, 3, 4)

Initial Alternative 2 (NS Corridor)

Develop Range of Alternatives

CREATE Feasibility Study

Amtrak St. Charles Air Line Study

Build Alternatives (A, B, C, D)No Build

Range of Alternatives Screening

No BuildBuild

Alternative AEvaluate in Draft EIS

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CN ConnectionCN Connection



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South 1 AlignmentSouth 1 Alignment


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North 1 AlignmentNorth 1 Alignment

North 1 AlignmentNorth 1 Alignment

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Since our last meeting…Since our last meeting…

• Project Team completed the Draft EIS, including:

– Impact evaluation of No Build and Build Alternatives

– Noise analysisy

– Vibration analysis

– Special waste study

– Road closure and drainage engineering studies

– Identification of potential mitigation measures

Draft Environmental Impact Draft Environmental Impact Statement (Draft EIS)Statement (Draft EIS)

DEIS: Topics StudiedDEIS: Topics Studied

• Socioeconomic:– Community changes

– Public facilities/services

– Residential/commercial relocations

– Impacts to businesses that remain

– Land use impacts

– Bicycle and pedestrian facilities

– Environmental justice

– Effects on other groups requiring special consideration (religious groups, individuals with disabilities, elderly, etc.)

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• Environmental:– Agricultural

– Cultural/historic resources

– Air quality

– Noise and vibration

– Groundwater

– Floodplains

– Wetlands

– Special waste

– Energy

– Natural resources

– Water/aquatic resources

p

– Special lands

– Visual impacts


• Indirect impacts

• Cumulative impacts

– CN Acquisition of the EJ&E Railway

– Other nearby CREATE projects (Englewood Flyover, 75th Street CIP)

– Chicago-Detroit/Pontiac Passenger Rail Corridor Program

– Illinois High-Speed Rail Program

– NS 47th Street Intermodal Yard expansion

Effects & MitigationEffects & Mitigation

• Impacts identified in DEIS include:

• Benefits include:

– Reduced travel time for rail passengers

– Cumulative air quality, safety, and economic benefits of the CREATE program

– Residential and commercial relocations

– Other community changes such as visual impacts and street closures

– Air quality (during construction only)

– Noise

– Vibration

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Effects & MitigationEffects & Mitigation

To reduce the impacts of the project,

Purpose of the Draft EIS mitigation measures:

p p j ,and to make sure the community

shares in the benefits

Residential & Commercial RelocationsResidential & Commercial Relocations

• North 1 Alignment area:– 30 occupied residential buildings (82 dwelling units)

impacted

– 5 vacant residential buildings (11 dwelling units) g ( g )impacted

• CN Connection area:– One business impacted – lease would not be

renewed

• No relocations in South 1 Alignment area

Residential Residential RelocationsRelocations

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Commercial RelocationCommercial Relocation

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Other Community ChangesOther Community Changes

• North 1 alignment area:

– Visual impacts of new elevated alignment

– Street closures

– Cumulative impacts related to NS yard expansion street closures, including impacts to sidewalks, emergency response, , g p , g y p ,and businesses

• CN Connection area:

– Minor changes due to new Amtrak trains between Greenwood Avenue/Metra Electric District from 76th Street and 79th Street

• South 1 alignment area: construction-period effects

• South of 83rd Street: no effects

Street Street ClosuresClosures

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Air QualityAir Quality

• Minor construction-period effects only

• No air quality impacts during operation

• Fuel consumption related to train operations will be reduced through the project area.

Noise and VibrationNoise and Vibration

• Noise:

– 27 moderate impacts (375 dwelling units)

– 16 severe impacts (208 dwelling units)

• Vibration:

– Potential ground-borne vibration impacts at 20 buildings (238 dwelling units)

– Potential ground-borne noise impact at one building (34 dwelling units, also included with ground-borne vibration impacts)

Project BenefitsProject Benefits

• Reduced Travel Time for Amtrak Passengers

• Air quality, safety, and i b fit feconomic benefits of

the CREATE program

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Potential Mitigation MeasuresPotential Mitigation Measures

Impact Standard/Included in EIS

Community Changes

Coordinate with CAG through Phases II and III

Continue website through construction

Relocations Follow Federal/State land

Still Under Investigation

• Improve remnant parcels

• Case-by-case assistance for negative

Your ideas

/acquisition procedures

Relocation factsheet Relocation workshops

Visual Work with community on aesthetic treatments

Site construction staging zones to minimize temporary effects

Air Quality Contractor BMPs during construction

y gmortgage holders

(none identified)

(none identified)

Your ideas

Your ideas

Your ideas


Impact Standard/Included in EIS

Noise Four reasonable barriers identified – would benefit 126 dwelling units

Vibration Railroad maintenance BMPs to control vibration


• Extend three of the barriers to benefit an additional 244 dwelling units

(none identified)

Your ideas

to control vibration Your ideas


Benefit Standard/Included in EIS

Economic benefits of the CREATE program

Small/Disadvantaged Business Contracting


• Job training• Funding to grow existing programs• Inspector trainees

• Educational programs• Support STEM curriculum in area

l t h lelementary schools

Your ideas

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Next StepsNext Steps

• Incorporate input from today’s mitigation discussion into the Draft EIS

• Finalize and circulate Draft EIS

• Public HearingsPublic Hearings

• Incorporate public input and prepare Final EIS

Group DiscussionGroup Discussion


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• Incorporate input from today’s mitigation discussion into the Draft EIS

• Finalize and circulate Draft EIS

• Public HearingsPublic Hearings

• Incorporate public input and prepare Final EIS

Circulation of the Draft EISCirculation of the Draft EIS

• How you (and the public) will be notified:

– Letters and/or emails to everyone on the project mailing list

– Letters to all residences in North 1 Alignment area (whether the property will be directly impacted or not)impacted or not)

– Door hangers placed at all residences in North 1 Alignment area (whether the property will be directly impacted or not)

– Postcards distributed to community meeting places throughout the study area

– Ads in local and regional newspapers

– By YOU!

Circulation of the Draft EISCirculation of the Draft EIS

– www.grandcrossingrail.com

– Chicago Public Library (Kelly & Grand Crossing branches)

• Where you can read it (proposed):

– Imagine Englewood If

– Teamwork Englewood

– YMCA – Englewood Satellite Office

– Grand Crossing Park Field House

– Sherwood Park Field House

– Kennedy King College

– Fuller Park Community Development Corporation/Eden Place

Office

– Sherwood Peace Association

– Residents Association of Greater Englewood (RAGE)

– Aldermanic offices (Wards 3, 5, 6, 8, & 20)

– James R. Thompson Center (IDOT)

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• Public Hearings – May 2014 (tentative)

Upcoming ActivitiesUpcoming Activities

Meetings with community organizations and elected officials

CAG/PM#1

CAG/PM#2

Community Meeting

CAG#3 CAG#4

Public Hearings

Record of Decision

*contingent upon funding

*

Share Your ThoughtsShare Your Thoughts

• Email us at [email protected]

• Fill out an online comment form at www.grandcrossingrail.com

• Mail your comments to the address on your handout materials

T H A N K Y O U !T H A N K Y O U !

www.grandcrossingrail.comwww.grandcrossingrail.com

Grand Crossing Rail Project 1 December 4, 2012 Preferred Alternative Meetings Summary

COMMUNITY ADVISORY GROUP Summary of October 10 and October 11, 2012

Preferred Alternative Meetings

The Grand Crossing Rail Project Team is using the Illinois Department of Transportation’s (IDOT) Context Sensitive Solutions (CSS) process to develop the project’s preliminary engineering design and corresponding Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). This process engages all project stakeholders, including neighborhood residents, elected officials, community and business leaders, interest groups, government agencies, and anybody who interacts with the railroads and roadways in the project study area. The intent of the CSS process is to identify and have a clear understanding of the community’s transportation concerns. Community input will help shape a solution for the Grand Crossing Rail Project that best balances the transportation needs of this project with the concerns and values of the community.

As part of this CSS process, the Project Team invited area residents and representatives from businesses, police and fire districts, non-profits, churches, and schools to form two Community Advisory Groups. These two groups – one for neighborhoods in the northern part of the study area and one for those in the southern part – will serve as a forum for community leaders and residents to meet periodically to discuss the community’s thoughts and ideas about the project. These Community Advisory Groups will be integral to shaping the project, providing input to the problem statement and purpose and need, the alternatives considered, and selection of the preferred alternative. The Community Advisory Group membership roster is provided as Attachment A.

On October 10 and 11, 2012, the third round of Community Advisory Group meetings were hosted at the Grand Crossing Park Field House and St. Bernard Hospital, respectively. These meetings focused on the recommended Preferred Alternative identified through the Range of Alternatives screening process. This memorandum describes the format and content of the October 10 and 11 Preferred Alternative meetings, the input received from Community Advisory Group members during these meetings, and the next steps for the project’s public outreach program.

1. Meeting Format and Agenda

The Community Advisory Group-South Meeting was held on Wednesday, October 10, 2012 from 1:30pm to 4:00pm at the Grand Crossing Park Fieldhouse, 7655 S. Ingleside Avenue, Chicago and was attended by 20 people. The Community Advisory Group-North Meeting was held on Thursday, October 11, 2012 from 1:30pm to 4:00pm at St. Bernard Hospital, 326 W.


64th Street, Chicago and was attended by 14 people. A sample invitation letter is provided as Attachment B.

Project Team staff included Danielle Stewart1 and Jakita Trotter from IDOT, as well as several members of the consultant team, including Tony Pakeltis, Craig Moore, Elizabeth Federico, and Brian McNuckle of Parsons; Ron Deverman2 and Michael Hurley of HNTB; and Margarite Wypychowski, Josh Druding, and Lauren Ryan3 of public outreach subconsultant Carolyn Grisko and Associates. Other attendees included Chuck Allen of Norfolk Southern and Joe Alonzo of the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT). No elected officials attended the meetings.

The north and south meeting attendance lists are included as Attachment C, and handout materials provided to each attendee can be found in Attachment D. Details on the discussions that took place during these meetings are provided in Section 2 below.

After a safety briefing, IDOT’s CREATE Public Outreach Manager, Jakita Trotter, welcomed attendees and laid out some meeting guidelines to ensure that the afternoon proceeded in an efficient manner so that everyone had the opportunity to participate. Ms. Trotter then walked through the agenda for the meeting, which included Project Team introductions, a recap and review of the material presented at previous meetings, presentation of the Range of Alternatives screening results, a group discussion about the Project Team’s Preferred Alternative recommendations, and a summary of upcoming outreach activities and next steps.

Next, Parsons Project Manager Tony Pakeltis delivered the technical presentation, which began with a review of the Grand Crossing Rail Project (including the project’s Purpose and Need) and the Project Team’s outreach and technical activities since the last round of Community Advisory Group meetings in March 2012. He then reviewed the alternatives development and screening process, explaining how the potential build alternatives were gradually narrowed to the four build alternatives that were presented at the March Community Advisory Group/public meetings. He laid out the criteria used to screen these alternatives and presented the results of this screening process, which led to the Project Team’s recommendation that two alternatives be evaluated in detail in the EIS: the No Build Alternative and Build Alternative A. He concluded this portion of the presentation with aerial images and cross sections to illustrate the various components of Build Alternative A.

The Project Team’s presentation was followed by a 45-minute group discussion during which Community Advisory Group members discussed the Preferred Alternative recommendations presented by Mr. Pakeltis. This discussion exchange is described further in Section 2. The meeting concluded with a discussion of next steps and other opportunities for community input, including Community Advisory Group meetings and Draft EIS public hearings tentatively scheduled for the first half of 2013.

A copy of the presentation slides is included as one of the handouts in Attachment D.

1 North meeting only 2 South meeting only 3 South meeting only


2. Group Discussion

Both meetings included a discussion among the full group. Questions and comments heard include the following (with Project Team responses shown in red):

South (October 10, 2012):

If the North 1 alignment is built, would that be the southern limit of the NS yard expansion?

― The Project Team noted that the Grand Crossing Rail Project and the NS yard expansion are independent projects. Chuck Allen from NS added that regardless of whether the Grand Crossing Rail Project moves forward, NS plans to expand its yard south from Garfield Boulevard to around 60th Street or 61st Street, between the existing NS tracks, located east of Stewart Avenue, and the existing Metra tracks, located east of Wallace Street. He confirmed that if the North 1 alignment were constructed, this would be the southern limit of the yard expansion.

Does the North 1 cost estimate assume that the alignment would be built with a sloped embankment or a retaining wall?

― The cost estimate assumes a retaining wall, which is the more expensive option.

When determining the number of properties that would be impacted by the North 1 alignment, did the Project Team distinguish between those that would occur to the north of the proposed alignment and those that would occur to the south? It would be helpful material for the next round of public meetings.

― Not for today’s meeting, but this information can be developed for the public hearings.

Another suggestion for the next round of public meetings is to communicate the trade-offs of retaining wall (more expensive but fewer impacts) versus sloped embankment (less expensive but more impacts).

― Noted; thank you.

Are you moving ahead/focusing on the North 1 alignment?

― Yes, that is the Project Team’s recommendation, pending input from the Community Advisory Group and future public meetings.

In terms of noise/vibration impacts, which is better – sloped embankment or retaining wall?

― We will be able to answer that question once we have the results of our noise and vibration analysis, which is currently underway.

Explain the “19 minutes” in time savings you referred to in the presentation…who is saving this time?

― Currently, Amtrak trains on the Illini, Saluki, and City of New Orleans lines use an indirect and inefficient route to access Union Station, which requires all trains to back into Union Station. This maneuver lengthens the schedule by 19 minutes. If the Grand Crossing Rail Project were constructed, Amtrak trains would have direct


access to Union Station, which would reduce the schedule by 19 minutes In addition, the CREATE Program overall will result in benefits for passenger and freight trains, as well as motorists in the City of Chicago and region.

This study is focused on how the project would benefit Amtrak. It’s a good deal for Amtrak and a good deal for the freight railroads, but how will the project benefit the people of Englewood? Between this project and the NS yard expansion project, Englewood will be gone.

― Mr. Allen noted that the Grand Crossing Rail Project and the NS yard expansion are independent projects; they are being advanced separately. Mr. Pakeltis added that tomorrow’s meeting at St. Bernard Hospital will focus on Englewood, providing Community Advisory Group members from this portion of the study area to comment on the North 1 alignment and other issues in the northern portion of the study area.

When will the project be completed?

― Currently, only Phase I (the environmental study phase) of the project is funded. This phase is expected to be complete in early 2014. If funding becomes available for Phases II and III, it would take approximately an additional three years for construction to begin.

Is it possible that NS would wind up building these improvements instead of IDOT?

― There are no plans for NS to build the proposed Grand Crossing Rail Project improvements, which would re-route Amtrak trains onto the NS line north of Grand Crossing. If no additional Amtrak trains are added to the NS line, then NS does not require these improvements.

Are the Grand Crossing Rail Project, the CREATE Englewood Flyover, and NS yard expansion separate projects or not? Could each of them be built independently? If they are independent, the Project Team should make this clear – the public perception is that they are a package.

― The CREATE Program includes the Grand Crossing Rail Project, the Englewood Flyover and the 75th Street Corridor Improvement Project (CIP). While components of the larger program, these projects' environmental studies are being advanced independently of each other. The CREATE Program is monitoring these projects closely as they need to be constructed in a certain order to achieve all of the improvements' benefits. The NS yard expansion is a separate project entirely than the CREATE Program.

Will we see more rail car storage in our neighborhood due to the Grand Crossing Rail Project or the NS yard expansion? Any additional passenger trains will move through the neighborhood, but freight cars will just sit there.

― Mr. Allen stated that there will be more freight storage on rail sidings in the area regardless. However, residents will notice a reduction in the number of freight trains sitting on the mainline waiting for rail conflicts to clear once the Englewood Flyover and 75th Street CIP are constructed. Metra conflicts are a major obstacle for freight operations in the area, and these two projects will remove several of these conflicts.


Mr. Allen also explained how intermodal transfers occur at freight yards, and that the frequency and timing of these transfers is driven by the railroads’ customers (e.g., UPS, FedEx).

Is it correct, then, that once these improvements are constructed, we should not see the same rail cars sitting for more than 24 hours?

― Yes, that is correct, because the Metra conflicts will have been removed (see response to previous question).

With regard to potential street closures/lowerings, 75th Street and 76th Street cannot be closed simultaneously – it would be too disruptive to the community.

― Noted. Construction sequencing and maintenance of traffic during construction activities will be evaluated during Phase II (Final Design).

What is the impact of the project/street lowerings on sewer lines and other utilities? The City recently performed work on the sewers to stop flooding in this area – you need to look at how this project will impact the sewers and include this information in the EIS. Also, if you have to redesign the project to address drainage issues, this could extend the timeline by a lot.

― Joe Alonzo of CDOT stated that CDOT traffic engineers are looking at this now. Mr. Allen added that although the specifics of utility and drainage design are worked out during Phase II (Final Design) rather than in the EIS, the City cannot issue a construction permit without approval of a drainage design that mitigates potential drainage issues.

Part of our concern with the closure of 75th/76th Streets is that it would require kids walking to school to travel on blocks that are less safe than the routes they currently take. It would also impact businesses, emergency vehicles, schools, churches, etc. Will you come back and meet with us to discuss street closure plans?

― The details of the temporary closures of 75th/76th Streets for construction purposes won’t be worked out until Phase II; however, potential street closures will be coordinated among the community, City of Chicago, and CREATE partners.

How can we make sure the things you promised us in your response to the Citizens Coalition of Grand Crossing Rail Project’s (CCoGCRP) March 26, 2012 comments actually happen?

Right now we’re experiencing a major disruption from the Skyway viaduct painting at 79th Street, and this is just a minor project. What will happen to us during a big project like P4?

― Jakita Trotter of IDOT pointed out the Project Team’s record of working with the CCoGCRP and other community groups. She added that IDOT and other CREATE partners are committed to continuing this level of coordination moving forward, throughout all three phases of the project.


Is this our last chance to comment on the project?

― No, the Project Team encourages comments throughout the life of the project. Comments can be submitted at any time via mail, email, or the project website: www.grandcrossingrail.com.

What is the lead federal agency for the EIS?

― The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).

How can we stay in touch with CDOT/the City of Chicago? They do not keep us informed about other non-CREATE construction projects happening in the area.

― Ms. Trotter suggested that those concerned about other projects speak individually with IDOT/CDOT representatives after the meeting so that the group can stay focused on the Grand Crossing Rail Project. Mr. Alonzo provided his contact information to several CAG members after the meeting.

Is EIS still on track for completion in early 2014?

― The Project Team is in the process of updating the schedule but still anticipates completion of the EIS in that general timeframe.

Is it correct that the South 1 alignment would not require any property acquisition?

― No residential property acquisitions would occur in the South 1 alignment area, though the alignment may require the taking of small pieces of land from the Chicago Skyway right-of-way.

What about the black tanker cars that currently sit at Greenwood and 82nd Street/Greenwood and 91st Street?

― Mr. Allen replied that those cars belong to CN and not the NS.

Is the Grand Crossing Rail Project a hidden bonanza for NS? Will they see benefits they wouldn’t see if P4 were not built? This money would be better spent on investment in job training, etc. in the community.

― No, the proposed capacity improvements on the NS line that are in the Grand Crossing Rail Project have been coordinated with the railroads, FHWA, IDOT, and the City of Chicago. The proposed improvements, which include the installation of a single new track (South 1) west of the existing tracks, are required to accommodate re-routed Amtrak trains without reducing freight capacity along the NS line. Without the additional track, Amtrak would not be able to operate along the NS line. If these Amtrak trains are not re-routed from the CN to the NS line, then NS would not need the additional capacity.

Mr. Allen added that there used to be a vibrant intermodal operation in Chicago, but now many of those intermodal jobs (and related construction jobs) are in Joliet. This project will help Chicago retain and potentially expand intermodal employment opportunities.


We want to see the numbers on this – will there be a direct, quantifiable benefit? We also want to see the environmental/health impacts analyzed against the potential economic growth the project would generate.

We would like information from NS on the health impacts of the yard expansion and the associated increase in truck drayage through the community.

― Mr. Allen will provide this information.

Why is CN not at these meetings?

― They were invited but chose not to attend. If you have comments for CN, please share them with the Project Team, and we will make sure they get them.

What are the federal requirements for environmental review of NS/CN projects?

― NS and CN are private companies advancing projects with private capital, so they are not subject to the same federal environmental requirements as the Grand Crossing Rail Project, for which IDOT will seek federal funding.

North (October 11, 2012):

Can we get jobs for members of the community through this Community Advisory Group?

― There are limited project-related employment opportunities prior to construction. The construction phase of the project, which, if funded, would begin in 2016 or later. In the meantime, the Project Team has provided information on other transportation job opportunities, and training opportunities to prepare for future IDOT jobs, which may or may not be project related.

What is being evaluated in terms of potential environmental impacts? For other projects that have occurred near our home, we weren’t hit directly but still experienced a lot of impacts during construction.

― The EIS will evaluate potential impacts such as noise and vibration and will consider both the long term impacts and temporary, construction-period impacts of the project. The study area for these analyses takes into account the distance over which these types of impacts would be experienced; it does not look solely at properties immediately adjacent to the existing/proposed rail corridors.

How will the trains be propelled? What type of fuel will they use?

― The Amtrak trains that would be re-routed to the NS line are pulled by diesel locomotives.

Will the potential air quality impacts of adding these trains to the NS line be evaluated in the EIS?

― Yes.


What is the timeframe for notifications to impacted property owners/residents?

― After the EIS is completed and a Record of Decision (ROD) is issued, which is anticipated in 2014. The Record of Decision is the federal approval that is required for the project to move on to the next phase.

Do the public meeting letters/postcards that were sent to owners/residents of impacted properties contain language that lets them know they would be directly impacted by the project?

― No, these letters and postcards were the same as those received by everyone in the study area. However, to ensure that all residents in the direct impact area received these notices, the Project Team also distributed door hangers containing the same information about the public meetings.

How will you determine the value of homes that are acquired?

― IDOT’s Bureau of Land Acquisition will handle the acquisition/relocation process; they will be at the public hearings to answer questions from community members. IDOT’s policy is to pay fair market value, although there is currently a program to help address situations where homeowners are upside down on their mortgages. However, it is uncertain whether this program will be in place when the property acquisition starts in 2014 or later.

Can we contact IDOT’s real estate/land acquisition office right now?

― Yes, the Project Team can put you in touch with them. Danielle Stewart of IDOT added that we will also bring a representative from IDOT’s Bureau of Land Acquisition to the next round of Community Advisory Group meetings.

When is the next Community Advisory Group meeting? If the boundaries of the project change, will that information be shared at our next meeting?

― We expect to hold our next round of Community Advisory Group meetings sometime in the first quarter of 2013, prior to the EIS public hearings. Community Advisory Group members will receive a full update on the project, including any changes to the Preferred Alternative/study area boundaries.

When will the Draft EIS be published? How will it be made available to the public?

― Publication of the Draft EIS is anticipated sometime in the first half of 2013. It will be distributed to state and local agencies and will be made available at libraries and other community venues, as well as on the project website.

What is the website URL?

― www.grandcrossingrail.com. The URL (as well as other Project Team contact information) appears throughout the materials in the handout packet you received today.


The EIS should also address what happens next (e.g., the long-term noise impacts of adding more trains to the corridor).

― It will. Mr. Pakeltis explained the CREATE Noise and Vibration Methodology that is used for all CREATE projects to assess the potential noise and vibration impact of the proposed projects as part of the Phase I EIS.

Who chose Build Alternative A? Who will decide between the No Build Alternative and Build Alternative A?

― The Project Team recommends Build Alternative A based on its technical evaluations and input from previous Community Advisory Group and public/community meetings. The consultant team developed and screened the potential build alternatives, with their work reviewed by IDOT, FHWA, and the railroads at every step.

The decision between the No Build Alternative and Build Alternative A will be made after the Draft EIS public hearings and comment period are complete and will be documented in the Final EIS and ROD. The decision will be made by FHWA and IDOT, based on input from agency reviewers and the public.

While we’re waiting for Phase I and II to be completed, can we devise a project-specific training program in the meantime?

― IDOT has an ongoing program called the Highway Construction Careers Training Program (HCCTP), which readies students for jobs on all IDOT construction jobs. Handouts that describe the program and provide information on the next 8-week training session are available at the sign-in table.

Have impacted property owners/residents been notified?

― All residents in the study area (regardless of whether their property would be impacted directly) have been notified of public/community meetings via letters, postcards, and door hangers. At the time of previous meetings, the Project Team had not yet developed the detail of information on property impacts that was presented here today, so we did not yet know which specific properties would be impacted by the Preferred Alternative.

CAG members should let their neighbors know about this project, and about the difference between the Grand Crossing Rail Project and the NS yard expansion that is also underway.

― Agreed. We need your help to make sure information about the project reaches all members of the community.

What project is currently underway along 55th Street? Who is the contractor?

― Mr. Allen replied that NS is working on improvements to the retaining wall at its 47th Street yard as part of the yard expansion project. NS is improving the wall east of Normal Avenue and building a new wall west of Normal to the Metra tracks.

― Mr. Allen couldn’t remember who the contractor is but said the work is being done under a community development agreement with the City of Chicago. The contract


has a 24 percent disadvantaged business enterprise (DBE)/minority-owned business enterprise (MBE) requirement, and NS is working with the City to preserve the integrity of Garfield Boulevard.

What if we think of a comment/question later?

― The Project Team encourages comments throughout the life of the project. Comments can be submitted at any time via mail, email, or the project website: www.grandcrossingrail.com.

How soon will you respond to us if we submit a comment/question via the website/email?

― The Project Team responds to your questions and comments as quickly as we can. Depending on the complexity of the question/comment, it will take anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks.

Does NS plan to create new housing near the yard expansion project?

― Mr. Allen indicated that no housing will be constructed by NS as part of the expansions project. Mr. Allen added that historically, intermodal yards have been an economic generator, and NS is hoping that will be the case here, and that the yard expansion project will help retain and expand intermodal employment opportunities in Chicago, which have been relocating to Joliet,. NS’s role is to build the intermodal facilities; it is up to the city planning department and private developers to take advantage of that.

What is NS’s policy for relocating residents impacted by the yard expansion project? Do we have a choice where we can move?

― Mr. Allen said NS’s policy is to let people decide where they want to move, then help them find housing there.

Will either P4 or the NS yard expansion provide opportunities to convert rail corridors to bike/horse trails?

― No rail corridors would be abandoned for either project, so neither would present an opportunity for rail-to-trail conversion.

4. Next Steps

The next round of Community Advisory Group meetings are tentatively scheduled for early 2013. At the meetings, the Project Team will ask members for their input on the Draft EIS. Public hearings on the Draft EIS will be held shortly after these Community Advisory Group meetings.

In addition to these formal venues for comment, the Project Team encourages Community Advisory Group members and the general public to provide input on the project at any time. Comments can be submitted by:

Email: [email protected]

Online comment form: www.grandcrossingrail.com/comment.html


Phone: Tony Pakeltis, Parsons: (312) 930-5268

Mail:

Grand Crossing Rail Project Parsons 10 South Riverside Plaza, 4th Floor Chicago, Illinois 60606 ATTN: Tony Pakeltis

GRAND CROSSING RAIL PROJECT MATERIALS RELEASE I understand that there is a possibility that I will be photographed and/or video recorded during the implementation of the Illinois Department of Transportation (“IDOT”) Grand Crossing Rail Project (the “Project”). I hereby grant IDOT, its respective parents, affiliates, subsidiaries, licensees, successors and assigns for good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, permission to photograph and or record me for promotional and/or educational purposes for the Project. Further, I knowingly, freely and voluntarily release, and discharge IDOT, its agents and employees from any and all liability, claims, judgments, demands, costs, causes of action, including without limitation rights of privacy and publicity, and damages of any kind for any personal injury, losses or damages, known or unknown, caused by, or arising out of the IDOT's use of the photos or other promotional media. This release shall not obligate IDOT or its authorized agents to use said photographs or other promotional media. IDOT shall retain the right to assign its rights hereunder without my consent, in whole or in part, to any other party so long as the assignee is using the photographs and other media for the same uses and purposes as IDOT. I further agree that IDOT may use and license others to use, exclusively and in connection with the Program, my name and likeness and any biographical material concerning me which I may provide, in any and all media and in the promotion, advertising and publicizing of the Project and ancillary materials in connection with the Project (the “Project Materials”). I hereby grant to IDOT all rights of every kind in and to the Project Materials including without limitation the right to use such an unlimited number of times, in perpetuity in any and all media, now known or hereafter invented, and in connection with the Project, or otherwise and for advertising and promotional purposes in connection with the Project and all rights, including copyright in the Project Materials shall be and remain vested in IDOT. I agree that IDOT shall be the exclusive owner of the Project Materials with the right to copyright, to use and to license others to use, in any manner, all or any portion thereof or of a reproduction thereof in connection with the Project. I acknowledge that IDOT is creating the Project Materials in express reliance upon the foregoing. This document is the entire agreement between the undersigned and IDOT regarding the matters stated herein. No other authorization is necessary to enable IDOT to use the Project Materials for the purposes herein contemplated.

NOTE: DO NOT SIGN THIS DOCUMENT UNTIL YOU HAVE READ IT COMPLETELY AGREED AND ACCEPTED BY: PRINTED NAME: _____________________________ SIGNATURE: _____________________________ DATE: _____________________________

Community Advisory Group Meeting #4:

Impacts and Mitigation

March 2014

COMMENT FORM The purpose of this meeting is to present the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) impact evaluation results and brainstorm potential mitigation measures to lessen the project’s impacts and expand its benefits to the community.

This comment form will help the project team document the Community Advisory Group’s ideas on specific actions that can be taken to ensure that residents of Grand Crossing, Englewood, and surrounding neighborhoods

share in the project’s benefits.

1. Socioeconomic impacts of the project include residential relocations, other community changes due to street

closures and new elevated alignment, and the cumulative impact of multiple, ongoing transportation projects in the study area. Please share any ideas you have on strategies to help mitigate these impacts in a meaningful way.

2. Environmental impacts of the project include noise and vibration impacts, as well as temporary air quality

impacts during construction. Please share any ideas you have on strategies to help mitigate these impacts in a meaningful way.

3. Project benefits include reduced travel time for Amtrak passengers and the cumulative air quality, safety, and

economic benefits of the overall CREATE program. Please share with us your ideas on programs or approaches to ensure that residents in the immediate study share in the benefits of the Grand Crossing Rail Project.

4. Please identify accessible public venues where the project team should make the Draft EIS available for public viewing, and/or the best ways to inform the public about the upcoming public hearings?

5. Additional comments regarding the project and/or today’s meeting:

6. About You

Name: Email or phone:

Address: Affiliation:

Please return this form to a member of the project team before you leave today, or mail or email it to the address below. Feel free to submit additional pages if you would like.

Comments received after today will be incorporated into the Final EIS along with other comments received

during the public comment period.

THANK YOU! Grand Crossing Rail Project

c/o Parsons 10 South Riverside Plaza, 4th Floor

Chicago, Illinois 60606 ATTN: Tony Pakeltis

[email protected]

1/30/2013

Employment Opportunities The CREATE team is committed to helping local residents find out about job opportunities and requirements on CREATE projects and in the railroad industry. Through partnerships with community-based organizations and continuous outreach to the public, the CREATE team will make information available on opportunities for qualified candidates to pursue these employment opportunities.

When will jobs be available? To understand what jobs are currently available and will be available in the future, it’s important to first understand the timeline of CREATE projects. Each project must go through an environmental review process and design phase before construction can begin. This means that construction jobs on many CREATE projects are still several years away.

There may be jobs available now with the railroads, and there are training opportunities available to prepare you for future CREATE construction efforts.

What types of jobs will be available? Jobs with the CREATE Program are broken down into two broad categories: 1) jobs in the railroad industry; and 2) jobs on CREATE construction projects. Each of these is discussed in greater detail below.

JOBS IN THE RAILROAD INDUSTRY Timeline: Ongoing

The railroad industry hires regularly and is currently in hiring mode. This is due primarily to business levels and the rate of retirements. Railroad positions vary widely, from equipment operators to track workers to mechanics. These jobs are often demanding, requiring workers to travel for extended periods, work in all weather conditions, and perform in a fast-paced environment. The hiring process is stringent, but qualified candidates willing and able to go through the steps have the chance to earn well-paid, union jobs with solid benefits and paid training.

Additionally, there may be opportunities for qualified individuals to work at the railroads’ intermodal terminals as on site truck drivers and service workers. These positions usually report to companies hired by the railroads to handle intermodal operations.

If you are interested in applying for a position with the railroads, we encourage you to visit the railroads’ websites and follow the instructions provided on the back of this fact sheet. Take time to explore the employee videos/testimonials posted on several of the railroads’ websites to learn more about what it’s like working for the railroads.

The CREATE Program The Chicago Region Environmental and Transportation Efficiency (CREATE) Program is a unique partnership between the Federal Highway Administration, the Illinois Department of Transportation, the Chicago Department of Transportation, and the Association of American Railroads.

Preparing for Current Railroad Jobs In the upcoming years, a large portion of the nation’s railroad workforce will be retiring. As a result, railroads are beginning to look for qualified workers to fill these positions. Individuals interested in these positions can begin applying now for available positions.

1/30/2013

What is needed to apply for railroad jobs? (actual requirements vary by railroad) • Access to a computer and internet service: If you don’t have a computer at home,

you can go to your local branch of the Chicago Public Library, your local FamilyNet Center or another nearby community center.

• 20-30 minutes to complete each application • Social security number • Education and training history: school names and addresses; years completed; and

degrees, certificates and/or licenses received. • Employment history: employer addresses, supervisor names and titles, and

salary history. • Military history • Three professional references: names and contact information for three people who

can vouch for your work. • List “CREATE” as a referral source on your application if there is a space provided. Railroad Job Websites You can go to the following websites to apply for railroad jobs:

Amtrak Go to www.amtrak.com, scroll to the bottom of the page and click on “Careers” BNSF Go to www.bnsf.com and click on “Careers” BRC Go to www.beltrailway.com and click on “Employment” CN Go to www.cn.ca, select “Careers” and click on “Search and Apply for Jobs” Canadian Pacific Go to www.cpr.ca and click on “Careers” CSX Corporation Go to www.csx.com and click on “Working at CSX” Metra Go to http://metrarail.com and click on “Employment” Norfolk Southern Go to www.nscorp.com and click on “Job Seekers” Union Pacific Go to www.up.com and click on “Jobs at UP” JOBS ON CREATE CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS Timeline: Current and future construction efforts

Construction work on CREATE projects will be done by both railroad forces and private contractors, each having their own hiring processes and requirements.

• Railroads will complete most of the track and signal work with their own employees. • Contractors will perform much of the structural work, such as railroad bridges.

How do I apply for construction jobs with the railroads? The application process for railroad construction crews is the same as that for other railroad positions. If you are interested in being eligible to work on CREATE construction projects as a member of a railroad crew, we encourage you to follow the instructions above in the Jobs in the Railroad Industry section. How do I prepare and apply for construction jobs with private contractors? Most private contractors require that their workers have union credentials. If you already have your union card and want to work on a CREATE construction project, we encourage you to talk to your local union representative about being placed with a contractor that works on the CREATE Program. If you do not have a union card, you will need to apply for enrollment in a pre-apprenticeship or apprenticeship program. A local employment resource center can provide you with information about these programs and help you navigate the application process. Also, Illinois WorkNet (www.illinoisworknet.com) offers information about training programs and tips to prepare you for the workplace.

CREATE Website www.createprogram.org This website will provide you with information about the CREATE Program and the benefits it will bring to Chicago-area residents. We invite you to explore the site and return often for information about employment opportunities and other CREATE news.

Tip: If you have a resume in a word processing document, you can copy and paste the text of your resume into the online job application. This will speed up the application process.

http://www.amtrak.com/

http://www.bnsf.com/

http://www.beltrailway.com/

http://www.cn.ca/

http://www.cpr.ca/

http://www.csx.com/

http://metrarail.com/

http://www.nscorp.com/

http://www.up.com/

http://www.illinoisworknet.com/

http://www.createprogram.org/

grand crossing rail project (p4) · 5/12/2014 · solution re-route amtrak trains from the canadian...

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