Braidwood, IL – Residents and businesses in Will County will soon have the opportunity to weigh in on a major high-speed rail project connecting Elwood and Braidwood. The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) has scheduled a public hearing for Wednesday, August 7, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Fossil Ridge Public Library District in Braidwood, as part of the review process for the Elwood to Braidwood Track Construction Project.
According to the Federal Railroad Administration, the project involves adding a second mainline track along the Union Pacific Railroad corridor for approximately 9.6 miles, including new grade crossings, a maintenance access facility, fencing, culvert, bridge, and signal upgrades. The $78 million proposal is a component of the broader Chicago to St. Louis High-Speed Rail Program, which aims to improve passenger service reliability and capacity.
Environmental documentation for the project, released on July 8, assesses two primary build alternatives and a no-build option. The preferred plan, known as Build Alternative 1B, calls for minimal use of retaining walls and specific placement of maintenance access paths to reduce impacts on local properties. Construction is anticipated to last between 18 and 24 months if approved. The assessment also examines effects on air quality, noise, floodplains, agricultural lands, and natural habitats, with proposed mitigation measures outlined for each area.
Stakeholders can provide input at the open house-style hearing or submit comments online until August 8. The environmental assessment will help federal and state agencies decide whether the project will proceed as planned or require further review.
For more details or to access official documents, visit the project website at www.idothsr.org or the federal docket at regulations.gov.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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