I thought this might be a worthwhile video to post.
On August 12, 2022, the High Speed Rail Alliance hosted a presentation/Q&A with Joe Shacter, Senior Manager at Amtrak for State-Supported Routes.
In the presentation, Shacter addresses plans to get Amtrak into/out of Chicago more quickly and reliably (now known as the Chicago Access Program), as well as changes to improve the traffic flow within Chicago Union Station.
It is estimated all the necessary work will cost $850 Million. This current phase of the project is estimated to cost $418.5 Million. Amtrak, as well as local agencies, have applied for a federal MEGA grant, which will cover 60% of the costs, Amtrak will cover 20%, while the local agencies will also cover 20%.
Of note during the presentation and Q&A-
1) On a slide showing a page from the actual MEGA application, here are a few projected dates for project start/completion, based on timely approval of the grant request-
a) The St. Charles Air Line Connector and upgraded Airline connection to the Rock Island tracks
(Engineering/NEPA/Construction)
-Start date 1st quarter(Q1) calendar year (CY) 2025
-Completion Q4 CY2026
-Improvements to the Rock Island connector would allow speeds on the connector to increase from 5MPH to 15MPH.
b) A new interim platform at Joliet for Lincoln Service and Texas Eagle trains
(Engineering/NEPA/Construction)
-Start Q4 CY2026
-Completion Q2 CY2027
c) Phase 1 of Union Station mail platform conversion to high-level passenger platform
-Final design complete by Q2 CY2023
-Construction start Q4 CY2023
-Completion Q1 CY2025.
d) Capacity improvements of platforms servicing tracks 2/4, 6/8, 10/12
(Engineering/NEPA only)
-Start Q1 CY2025
-Completion Q1 CY2027
e) Improvements to the concourse area
(Final Design/Construction)
-Start Q4 CY2024
-Completion Q4 CY2026
f) Niles-Glenwood Rd. (MI) double-tracking
(Engineering/NEPA only)-
Start Q2 CY2024 -
Completion Q2or4 CY2025
g) Train shed ventilation improvements
(Engineering/NEPA only)
-Start Q1 CY2025 -
-Completion Q1 CY 2027
h) Property acquisition (likely UP Canal Yard) $29 Million
2) Shacter mentioned that sending Amtrak onto NICTD at Kensington would apply, at least initially, to Michigan Service trains only. Negotiations with NICTD are only focused on MI Services now. But if it can be shown that adding eastbound LD trains would not adversely affect NICTD, Amtrak would very much like to get them off the NS Chicago Line as well. He said if the Capitol Limited were moved onto NICTD, it would likely mean ditching Superliners in favor of single-level rolling stock.
3) Amtrak is in talks with Metra about what capacity improvements would be necessary on the Rock Island to accommodate Lincoln/Eagle, which would be performed in conjunction with Metra increasing capacity for Southwest Service trains, which will turn onto the Rock north of 75th Street at some point in the future.
4) According to Shacter, maximum speeds on the Lincoln Service are anticipated to increase (Joliet to Alton) from 90MPH to 110MPH "in the next few months".
5) Several projects are being pursued by Amtrak and MDOT in MI; two he mentioned are-
a) a one-mile by-pass in Battle Creek to avoid having to use CN track there.
b) in Jackson, re-aligning the station track to accommodate two platforms, each servicing its own track.
6) Regarding the repurposed mail platforms, Shacter (who admitted he wasn't the best person to speak on the subject) mentioned accessing the mail platforms (and new waiting areas) from Harrison Street, or perhaps Van Buren, or both. I have no idea if that means a Harrison/Van Buren entry/exit would be the only place to access those platforms, or if it would be in addition to the converted Union Station basement steam tunnels under the platforms, as described in the Union Station Master Plan.
7) A decision on this MEGA grant is expected in the second half of September, 2022.
8) Regarding Chicago-Peoria service, Shacter says that IDOT has not yet formally requested Amtrak to look at Peoria service. But that might change. In related news, the mayor of Peoria recently announced that IDOT has decided to include Peoria service in its state rail plan, an important step in applying for Corridor ID funding.
9) Even though Metra will be the primary driver for service connecting O'Hare and McCormick Place through CUS, Amtrak is exploring the possibility of through-running some Midwest corridor trains up to O'Hare. An analysis of future through-running capacity will have to be completed to determine whether it's doable. This runs counter to what Amtrak Government Affairs rep Derrick James told HRSA last year, who said Amtrak had no interest in running to O'Hare. If this does occur, it would be nice to see Amtrak, Metra, IDOT, CDOT, and the Chicago Department of Aviation get together and provide significant improvements to O'Hare Transfer station, with an eye towards building a station at the terminals.
10) Shacter says Gardner, "wants to see Chicago on the path to being fixed within the next five years".
11) In Indiana, Fort Wayne service is being "looked at" at the request of local stakeholders, but INDOT has not yet expressed an interest in partnering with Amtrak on this. Discussions are just getting started over Amtrak using the future NICTD West Lake Extension as part of an "eventual" revived Hoosier State, which he said is several years out. Amtrak believes CHI-IND would be a perfect candidate for 110MPH, and considering the extensive work that will be required to get the CSX Monon sub into shape to run at any decent speed, they will seriously consider building for 110MPH. But, in the end, Amtrak takes all its cues from INDOT.
12) In Ohio, Amtrak is working very closely with state rail officials there on 3C, CLE-DET. Currently in the hands of Amtrak's Government Affairs people, not with State-Supported Routes.
13) Contrary to something Marc Magliari mentioned last year, Amtrak is supposedly still considering a long-term idea of building their own dedicated tracks on the old NYC/Nickel Plate(?) ROW, now being used by Commonwealth Edison. The concept would entail connecting to Amtrak-owned lines at Porter. That means, at some point, CREATE Grand Crossing will be back in play, as Shacter envisions using the CN Lakeshore tracks, connecting to the new dedicated tracks at Grand Crossing on the way out of Chicago. If MI Services utilize NICTD to Michigan City, the Amtrak-owned tracks from Porter to MC will go unused until those dedicated tracks are built.
Edit - to correct a project completion date
