STB draft EIS on proposed EJ&E acquisition by CN. Today the Surface Transportation Board issued its draft Environmental Impact Statement on the Canadian National railway's pending purchase of the Elgin, Joliet and Eastern railway. Click here for an STB news release and fact sheet, and here for the draft EIS. As you'll see, the EIS includes dozens of separate PDF files dealing with this very complex acquisition. Over the next several days, CMAP staff will be reviewing the materials carefully. The draft is now open for public comment through September 30. See the news release and fact sheet for details on how to comment, along with information about eight public meetings to be held by the STB during August and September 2008 in metropolitan Chicago.

Highway Trust Fund. On Wednesday, the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a bill to provide $8 billion that will keep the Highway Trust Fund afloat for now. A long-term solution is still needed to fix an increasing shortfall that could interrupt construction projects nationwide. Click here for related news links, including analysis by the Wall Street Journal.

RTA hosts public hearings. From August 4 to 14, the RTA will host 13 public hearings to share progress on implementing new transit legislation, the 2009 budget outlook, an update on RTA's strategic plan, and the critical need for capital investment. This outreach precedes the beginning of the RTA's budget process, and another round of hearings will be held later in the year before their 2009 budget is finalized. According to RTA communications director Diane Palmer, "At a time where high gas prices have contributed to increased transit ridership, we hope to attract a good turnout at all our hearings in an effort to garner support to improve our transit system while helping to reduce air pollution and traffic congestion." See http://www.movingbeyondcongestion.org/ for dates, locations, and other details of the hearings.

Public comments sought on proposed FY09 CMAQ Program. CMAP has released the proposed FY 2009 Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) program for a 30-day public review and comment period. The CMAQ program funds transportation projects that improve air quality including bicycle/pedestrian improvements, improvements to intersections and traffic signal timing, new transit services and other projects. The FY 2009 proposed program funds nearly $63 million in projects for the region, including over $18 million in funds to reduce diesel emissions from public fleets, school buses and locomotives. Since the program’s inception, the region has programmed over a billion dollars in air quality improvements. Click here for asummary of the proposed CMAQ program or call 312-386-8796 for a printed copy. Through 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 26, 2008, written comments may be mailed, faxed, emailed or delivered to:

The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP)
Attn: CMAQ Comments
233 S. Wacker Dr., Suite 800
Chicago, IL 60606
email: info@cmap.illinois.gov
phone: 312.386.8796
fax: 312.386.8797

Illinois Arts Alliance save the date. At 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 25, the Illinois Arts Alliance will hold its 2008 Awards Gala, honoring Sandra Guthman (Chair and CEO, Polk Bros. Foundation) and Tracy Letts (Pulitzer and Tony Award winning playwright). The location is River East Art Center, 435 East Illinois Street, Chicago. For tickets or sponsorship opportunities, please call Sharon Tulos at 312-855-3105 x12 or complete the Gala reply form (opens 50KB PDF).

Chicago Wilderness save the date. On November 11, 2008, Chicago Wilderness will hold its Autumn Benefit Dinner at the Field Museum.