 How the rail construction
phase and the permanent structure would
affect emergency response, citizen commutes, commerce and industry
has been the focus of the discussions. Officials are working
together to establish emergency response pathways and minimize
transportation disruption for manufacturing industries, farming,
mining and two correctional facilities that are on the route, as
well as meeting general transportation needs for citizens traveling
to and from home or getting students to school.Read about urban
gate safety, farmland access plans and the potential for two rail
options in Monday's
Part 1.
During the question-and-answer session, Alex Dawson of the
Illinois Department of Corrections expressed concerns about
temporary closures at the county's two correctional facilities. He
noted that the facilities are central transportation bases where
buses enter and exit on a daily basis. He said this is a set routine
that is very important to maintain.
Dan Fulscher, director of the Logan County Emergency Management
Agency, said that his experience with the track renewal train coming
into Logan County last fall was that they went out of their way to
be accommodating. He noted that the team had provided flaggers at
crossings to keep traffic moving as much as possible and had even
done some temporary road surfaces to allow traffic to flow.
Garcia said he wished he could say there were going to be no
inconveniences to the community during this process, but the fact
is, there will be.
"But, we will do everything in our power to minimize
inconveniences, and if there are people out there who you do not
think are doing everything in their power, I want you to call us,"
Garcia concluded.
Terry Storer of EMA/ESTB voiced concerns over the Salt Creek
bridge, which is a wooden trestle bridge, wondering if it would be
replaced in this first pass through. Garcia said that it will not at
this time.
Storer also talked about what he referred to as "a rite of
passage" for many young people, who in the summertime gather on the
bridge and dive off into Salt Creek.
Mike Payette of Union Pacific said that UP police would be made
aware of this and will add policing to the area.
Fulscher also noted that there is a need to educate local
hunters, among others, that the railroad rights of way are private
property, and when they are on them, they are trespassing.
Mary Rose Donohue spoke to the group as the project team leader,
sharing information from a flier that provided contact information
for key members of the team, including herself, as well as facts
about high-speed rail.
She also spoke about the official website and said there are now
postings for local jobs. She said anyone interested should visit the
website and follow the menu through to "Business Opportunities."
Local opportunities that may be available will include
contractors for some of the local construction projects such as
stations and parking lots.
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Donohue said that local leaders are her first resource in
reaching out to the community and resolving concerns or problems.
She told the group that the phone number listed for her was a
direct number to her desk and that she would answer or return all
calls made to her.
There is also a hotline number; 1-855-IDOT HSR.
During discussion Alderwoman Marty Neitzel asked about the plan
that the city has put together regarding upgrades and safety
barriers in the city of Lincoln. She wondered if the city's requests
and recommendations would be under consideration in this first pass
through Lincoln.
Garcia said those requests would affect the second stage of
construction.
Donohue said she does have from Mayor Keith Snyder a copy of the
committee's first draft. She asked that the mayor send her the final
recommendations when the committee has completed its work.
She and Garcia also said that they were very pleased to see the
city take a proactive approach regarding issues that affect them and
that there will be future discussions about the requests as IDOT
works through its environmental impact study.
The track renewal train is expected to resume operations in Logan
County next month. It will begin at Elkhart and proceed north
through Lincoln, Lawndale and Atlanta.
The timeline includes having the first run of new track completed
in late 2011 or early 2012.
In 2012, a stretch of track between Dwight and Pontiac will be
used for 110 mph trains as a test, and the entire 284-mile corridor
is expected to be ready for high-speed trains by the end of 2014.
[By NILA SMITH]
Part 1, posted Monday
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