High-speed rail public meeting Feb. 8

[January 29, 2011]  A high-speed rail committee will conduct a public meeting in Lincoln on Feb. 8 to share results of its study of the issue and to obtain input and public comments on requests that will be contained in its report. The committee was formed in November by Mayor Keith Snyder to study the impact of high-speed rail plans on the community and to develop recommendations to be presented to the Union Pacific Railroad, Amtrak, the Illinois Department of Transportation, elected officials and others.

The public informational meeting will be at 7 p.m. Feb. 8 in the Lincoln Park District ballroom, 1400 Primm Road. The meeting will begin with a short presentation, followed by a question-and-answer session.

The committee has developed various requests to present to transportation officials and others: new grade separations to reduce traffic delays and provide for emergency vehicle access; sight and sound screening in the downtown business district and in residential neighborhoods; visually appealing access control methods to promote public safety; and changes to the proposed timing and number of station stops for passenger trains.

The 15-member committee has had five meetings to date. It hopes to present a complete set of recommendations to the railroad and regulatory authorities by the end of March.

[Text from file received]