Thursday morning rail news:
— The San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority has released the draft Environmental Impact Report for a project to extend Amtrak San Joaquin service and Altamont Corridor Express commuter rail service to Sacramento, beginning a 45-day period of public comment on the plan. The project involves improvements to Union Pacific’s Sacramento Subdivision as well as construction of new stations in Lodi, south Sacramento, Sacramento City College, Midtown Sacramento, Old North Sacramento, and Natomas/Sacramento Airport. The project would lead to two additional San Joaquin roundtrips daily, as well as the extension of ACE service. The full report is available here.
— A conductor on Metra’s SouthWest Service line has tested positive for the coronavirus, the commuter railroad has reported. WBBM-TV reports the conductor has been home since experiencing symptoms on March 25, and other employees who had direct contact with the conductor have been in self-isolation. Three other Metra employees, none of whom were in positions with contact with the riding public, tested positive earlier this week.
— Springfield, Ill., will receive $33 million for grade-crossing separation projects as part of ongoing work to realign rail right-of-way through the city. WAND-TV reports the funds from the Illinois Commerce Commission provide $11 million each for underpasses at Madison and Jefferson streets and North Grand Avenue. In a statement, Springfield Mayor Jim Langfelder said, “This commitment allows us to continue our progress, not only moving trains from Third Street to 10th Street by 2025, but also securing the long-awaited Quiet Zone along the Third Street corridor.”
