Lake Forest City Council Wants More Consideration Of Rail Plans

LAKE FOREST, IL — The Lake Forest City Council discussed various issues regarding new infrastructure to expand the Amtrak and Metra rail service. At a meeting Monday, alderman discussed a proposal for adding close to two miles of a third rail and an Amtrak stop on the west side of town.

The addition would speed up rail traffic by allowing passenger trains to pass slower freight trains and allow the Amtrak Hiawatha Line to offer three more round-trip runs every day between Milwaukee and Chicago. Most of the roughly 70 people who attended the meeting were concerned about the idea of a third rail, according to the Daily North Shore.

Lake Forest City Council first learned of the plan last year after an environmental assessment was issued by the Federal Railroad Administration and the Wisconsin and Illinois transportation departments. They agreed at this week's meeting to keep pushing for a further impact assessment, even as some members were skeptical it would have any effect on federal decision-making, according to the Lake Forester.

Residents of Academy Woods subdivision, which borders the site of the proposed new rail, have stated worries about the impact of the project. They are concerned it could impact nearby ecosystems and add noise and pollution from freight trains as they idle on the track, the Lake Forester reports.

Another holding track, nearly two-miles long, has been proposed to connect Northbrook and Glenview and run between West Lake Avenue and Techny Road, while an additional 1,500-foot rail has been proposed for Deerfield, north of Greenwood Avenue, DNS reports.

Discussion begins around 54:00 in video of March 6 Lake Forest City Council meeting:

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Top photo: Courtesy of Railsr4me (CC)