caAGO DeparTMeNt OF TRANSPORTATION CITY OF CHICAGO 12/18/2018 To: Logan Square Preservation Logan Square Preservation PO Box 47282 Chicago, iL 60647 Subject: O'Hare Express Service Environmental Assessment Invitation for Section 106 Consulting Party Status Dear Logan Square Preservation: The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) is requesting you to become a Section 106 consulting party for the O'Hare Express System Environmental Assessment. If you wish to ‘engage in this role, please send IDOT a response prior to January 17, 2019 THE PROJECT ‘The FHWA, in cooperation with Illinois Department of Transportation (IDO7), is initiating an Environmental Assessment for the O'Hare Express System (OES), an approximately 17.8-mile high-speed, subterranean, express service connecting O'Hare International Airport (ORD) and the Chicago Central Business District (CBD). The study area is located in the City of Chicago and Village of Rosemont in Cook County, ilinois (see attached). ‘The FHWA has been designated by the US Department of Transportation Office of the Secretary as the lead modal Federal agency for the proposed project. The proposed project is subject to FHWA approval for the use of Interstate right-of-way, thus constituting a Federal action subject to review under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other environmental laws. FHWA will lead the NEPA review for the OES. ‘The project was first envisioned by the City of Chicago (City) as a response to the need for a fast and reliable transit connection between ORD and CBD. A Request for information was issued in 2011 by the City to evaluate this need. A feasibility and ridership study was completed by the City in 2017 to identity, develop and document existing and future travel demands between ORD and CBD. In 2017, the City subsequently commenced a public procurement through the Chicago Infrastructure Trust for the development of an express service transportation system between ORD and CBD that would act as a key economic driver, alleviate congestion, and provide reliable express service to and from the airport. As part of this process, 30 NORTH 1-ASALLA STREET, SUITE 1100, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. 60602in 2018 the City selected The Boring Company to enter into exclusive negotiations to develop, design, build, equip, finance, operate, and maintain the project. ‘SECTION 106 CONSULTING PARTY Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act requires Federal agencies to (1) take into account the effect of their undertakings on historic properties and (2) afford the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) a reasonable opportunity to comment. The Section 106 process. is outlined in 36 CFR Part 800. Federal agencies may invite individuals or organizations to become a Section 106 consulting party, if they have a demonstrated interest in the project or if they have concerns with the project's effects on historic properties. Consulting parties may be asked to provide information on historic, properties in the project area, identify issues relating to the project's potential effects on historic properties, and if applicable, consult to resolve adverse effects to historic properties. IDOT and FHWA have identified you as a potential interested party and are therefore inviting you to be a Section 106 consulting party. if you would like to be a consulting party, please send IDOT a response within the stated deadline to engage in the project in this role. Ifyou have any questions or would like to discuss in more detail the study or our agencies’ respective roles and responsibilities during the preparation of this EA, please contact Matt Fuller, FHWA at Matt, Fuller@dot, gov or (217) 492-4625 or Mr. William Raffensperger, IDOT at William, Raffensperaer@ilinois gov (217) 785-1676. ‘Thank you for your cooperation and interest in this project. Sincerely, Daniel Burke, P.E, S.E. Deputy Commissioner Enclosure: Study Area Map cc: IDOT Bureau Chief of Local Roads and Streets Regional Engineer FHWA Division Administrator idl: Field Engineering Supervisor, PPD Manager, Engineering Team Leader, Transportation Engineer, PER Team Leader, Environmental Programs Engineer, Environmental Engineer.ors sume arois ‘0 dew easy Apmg :esnsojoug