Documents

This library brings together public records, government documents, planning materials, presentations, and other records related to Amtrak’s proposed Midwest Maintenance Facility at the Canal Street Yard in Bridgeport.

Additional documents will be added as they become available.

Government Resolutions & Official Correspondence

Chicago City Council Resolution on the Canal Street Facility | September 23, 2026

11th Ward Ald. Nicole Lee introduced Resolution R2026-0028877 calling for City Council hearings into Amtrak’s proposed Midwest Maintenance Facility at the Canal Street Yard.

The resolution calls for examination of Amtrak’s site-selection process, alternative locations considered, the federal environmental review, and potential impacts on surrounding communities and shared rail operations. It also seeks greater transparency regarding the studies and analyses underlying the project.

The resolution has broad City Council support, with 35 alderpeople listed as sponsors.

View Chicago City Council Resolution R2026-002887

Cook County Resolution Opposing the Canal Street Facility | September 2026

Cook County Commissioner John P. Daley introduced Resolution 26-2333 opposing the proposed Amtrak Midwest Maintenance Facility at the Union Pacific Canal Yard “in its current form and location.”

The resolution calls for Amtrak and relevant government agencies to pause further advancement of the project until its environmental and community impacts have been comprehensively assessed and made available for public review. It identifies concerns including diesel emissions, noise and vibration, hazardous materials, stormwater, soil and groundwater, traffic, lighting, construction impacts, and cumulative environmental effects.

The resolution is sponsored by Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and 17 commissioners.

View Cook County Resolution 26-2333

Duckworth-Durbin Letter to FRA and Amtrak | August 27, 2026

U.S. Sens. Tammy Duckworth and Dick Durbin requested additional information from the Federal Railroad Administration and Amtrak about the proposed relocation after hearing concerns from Bridgeport residents and local elected officials. The senators called for greater transparency and communication about the project and its potential impacts.

https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases/duckworth-durbin-ask-fra-amtrak-for-additional-information-on-plans-to-relocate-its-14th-street-maintenance-facility

Federal Funding & Project Documents

Midwest Maintenance Facilities Modernization P3 | August 2026

Federal funding information for the $572 million Federal-State Partnership award supporting Amtrak’s proposed relocation of certain maintenance operations from the 14th Street Yard to the Canal Street Yard.

The federal project description identifies the award as supporting right-of-way acquisition and describes the Canal Street Yard as “to-be-acquired.”

https://quigley.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/quigley-durbin-duckworth-davis-announce-more-696-million-amtrak

Chicago Rail Bridge Renewal P3 | August 2026

A separate $87 million Federal-State Partnership award supports project development, final design, and construction to rehabilitate or replace approximately 17 aging viaducts, bridges, and related structures at the Canal Street Yard.

https://quigley.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/quigley-durbin-duckworth-davis-announce-more-696-million-amtrak

Planning & Background Documents

Chicago Hub Improvement Program Presentation | January 11, 2025

An Amtrak Chicago Hub Improvement Program presentation describes plans for acquisition and expansion of the Canal Street Yard. The presentation states that Amtrak initiated preliminary acquisition discussions with Union Pacific following review of an STV/Jacobs yard study and describes an earlier plan to use the northern portion of Canal Street for storage while adding a covered satellite maintenance facility at the southern portion of Canal Street.

https://bc127bd4-a563-4759-8ca2-ac96c2be1870.filesusr.com/ugd/903aba_b287aee262e148cf9212d4fdd15263e8.pdf

Amtrak / Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Commission Presentation | 2024

An Amtrak presentation to the Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Commission provides an earlier public record of planning for new Chicago maintenance facilities and expansion at the Canal Street Yard.

The presentation identifies the STV/Jacobs work as the “Existing Facility Assessment and Yard Acquisition Recommendation” and lists “New Chicago Maintenance Facilities” among proposed Federal-State Partnership projects. The proposed work included preliminary engineering/NEPA, property acquisition, and final design. The presentation also identifies a $200 million project cost for that work, including a proposed $160 million federal share.

https://miprc.org/Portals/0/userfiles/3/2024%20Annual%20Meeting_Amtrak%20update_Arun%20Rao.pdf

Illinois State Rail Plan | 2023

The Illinois State Rail Plan provides background on state and regional passenger-rail priorities, infrastructure, and plans for expanded passenger rail service.

https://idot.illinois.gov/programs-and-projects/rail-and-freight/illinois-rail-plan.html

Chicago Hub Improvement Program Planning | 2024

Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Commission materials describing Amtrak’s Chicago Hub Improvement Program identify new maintenance facilities and a new storage/layover yard along Canal Street adjacent to Guaranteed Rate Field as components of the program.

https://miprc.org/News/MIPRC-News/ArtMID/1014/ArticleID/167/preview/true/With-new-grants-in-hand-MIPRC-looks-to-a-busy-2025-and-its-Silver-Jubilee

Chicago Hub Improvement Program – Amtrak

Amtrak’s current Chicago Hub Improvement Program page describes the Midwest Maintenance Campus and states that acquisition of additional yard property is in progress.

https://amtraknewera.com/chip/

Canal Edge & Federal Financing

Chicago Keeps America Moving – Build America Bureau Credit Assistance Pipeline | August 2026

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Build America Bureau lists Canal Edge LLC’s “Chicago Keeps America Moving” project in its federal credit-assistance pipeline.

The August 2026 pipeline lists the project as seeking a Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing (RRIF) direct loan of approximately $640 million.

Direct PDF:

https://www.transportation.gov/buildamerica/sites/buildamerica.dot.gov/files/Web%20Pipeline%20List.August%202026.pdf

DOT landing page for the document:

https://www.transportation.gov/buildamerica/projects/loi-report-august-2026

Chicago Keeps America Moving – Federal Financial Advisory Services | 2026

Federal contracting records show that the U.S. Department of Transportation retained PFM Financial Advisors to provide financial advisory services related specifically to the “Chicago Keeps America Moving (CANAL EDGE) Project.”

https://www.highergov.com/contract/693JJ324D000014-693JJ326F00101N/

Canal Edge – Chicago Keeps America Moving RRIF Application

Canal Edge LLC’s underlying application for federal Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing.

Document/link to come – records being sought.

Amtrak Information

Amtrak Federal Grant Announcement | August 14, 2026

Amtrak announced federal funding for the proposed Midwest Maintenance Facility and related improvements to railroad viaducts in Chicago. The announcement describes the project, federal and private funding, and anticipated construction schedule.

https://media.amtrak.com/2026/08/amtrak-receives-federal-grants-for-new-midwest-maintenance-facility-and-improvements-to-viaducts/

Midwest Maintenance Facility Project Website – Amtrak | 2026

Amtrak’s project website provides its current description of the proposed Canal Street facility, construction and operations, site selection, environmental review, and other project information.

The site states that Amtrak identified a new site more than three years ago and that it evaluated three alternatives before 2023: redevelopment of the existing 14th Street Yard, Union Pacific’s Global 1 facility, and the Canal Street Yard.

https://mwmaintenancefacility.com/

Amtrak Reports & Documents

Amtrak publishes five-year service and asset plans, legislative reports, board materials, and other documents concerning its capital program and infrastructure investments.

https://www.amtrak.com/reports-documents

Environmental Review

FRA Categorical Exclusion

Amtrak has stated that the proposed project received a categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act. Residents are seeking the categorical exclusion determination and the records and analyses supporting it.

Document/link to come – records being sought.

Environmental Studies and Analyses

Residents are seeking environmental records associated with the project, including any analyses addressing noise, air quality and emissions, traffic, environmental justice, contaminated materials, lighting, stormwater, and other potential impacts.

Documents/links to come – records being sought.

Site Selection & Alternatives

Canal Street Yard Alternatives Analysis

Amtrak now states publicly that it evaluated three alternatives prior to 2023: redevelopment of the existing 14th Street Yard, Union Pacific’s Global 1 facility, and the Canal Street Yard.

Amtrak’s current project website provides its stated reasons for rejecting the 14th Street Yard and Global 1 and selecting Canal Street.

https://mwmaintenancefacility.com/

Residents are seeking the underlying studies, analyses, scoring, correspondence, and other records showing how these alternatives were evaluated and why Canal Street was selected.

Underlying documents/links to come – records being sought.

STV/Jacobs Yard Study

Amtrak planning materials state that planning for the Canal Street Yard followed review of an STV/Jacobs yard study. A 2024 Amtrak presentation to the Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Commission identifies this work as the “Existing Facility Assessment and Yard Acquisition Recommendation.”

The referenced presentations are available elsewhere in this library; residents are seeking the underlying STV/Jacobs study itself.

Document/link to come – records being sought.

Presentations & Design Documents

Amtrak Presentation at UIC Urban Transportation Center | April 16, 2026

Amtrak Director of Program Management Joe Shacter presented information about the Chicago Hub Improvement Program, the Canal Street Yard, and plans involving Amtrak’s existing 14th Street property at an April 16, 2026 presentation at the University of Illinois Chicago’s Urban Transportation Center. The video was available online initially, but then was removed from public access.

Residents requested the record through the Freedom of Information Act. The video was obtained through FOIA in September 2026 and is preserved here as part of our public documents archive.

▶ View UIC Urban Transportation Center Presentation [Video]

WSP / Canal Edge Facility Plans

Residents are seeking available site plans, concept drawings, engineering documents, renderings, track layouts, phasing plans, and other materials prepared for the proposed replacement maintenance facilities.

Documents/links to come – records being sought.

Grant Applications

Midwest Maintenance Facilities Modernization P3 – Federal-State Partnership Application

Residents are seeking Amtrak’s complete application and supporting materials for the federal award of up to $572 million, including the project narramaps, schedule, cost estimates, environmental documentation, alternatives analysis, risk assessment, letters of support, and appendices.

Documents/links to come – records being sought.

Chicago Rail Bridge Renewal P3 – Federal-State Partnership Application

Residents are seeking Amtrak’s complete application and supporting materials for the federal award of up to $87 million for approximately 17 bridges, viaducts, and related structures at the Canal Street Yard.

Documents/links to come – records being sought.

Property & Agreements

Canal Street Yard Acquisition Records

Federal project descriptions refer to Canal Street as a “to-be-acquired” yard, while Amtrak currently describes acquisition of additional yard property as “in progress.”

Residents are seeking available purchase agreements, maps, surveys, appraisals, environmental due-diligence records, and other documents concerning the acquisition of the Canal Street Yard.

Documents/links to come – records being sought.

Amtrak / Canal Edge Agreements

Residents are seeking available agreements and related records concerning Canal Edge LLC’s role in the relocation of Amtrak facilities, the 14th Street Yard, Canal Street Yard, project financing, design, and construction.

Documents/links to come – records being sought.

Illinois Sports Facilities Authority (ISFA) Records - Added 9/15/26

ISFA Communications with Justin Ishbia | May–July 2025

Records obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request document communications involving Illinois Sports Facilities Authority board member Trisha Rooney, ISFA CEO Frank Bilecki, and Justin Ishbia. The records include correspondence arranging a June 19, 2025 lunch involving Rooney, Bilecki, and Ishbia, as well as communications before and after the meeting.

The records do not indicate what was discussed at the lunch.

View FOIA records [PDF]

Residents are seeking additional ISFA records concerning the proposed White Sox development, Amtrak relocation, and any potential sale, lease, transfer, easement, or other use of ISFA-owned property.

City of Chicago Records

Residents are seeking City of Chicago records concerning the proposed facility, including site-development plans, zoning determinations, permit applications, transportation review, viaduct work, planning documents, and relevant correspondence.

Documents/links to come – records being sought.

Have a Project Document?

If you have a public document, presentation, map, correspondence, or other record related to the proposed Canal Street maintenance facility that is not included here, please contact:

stopbridgeportrailyard@gmail.com