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Springfield Rail Improvements Project
Project Summary
The Springfield Rail Improvements Project is a $315 million project that involves consolidating and improving rail lines by relocating rail traffic from Springfield’s Third Street corridor to its 10th Street corridor and constructing underpasses at rail crossings throughout the city. The Springfield Rail Improvements Project also is a part of the Illinois High-Speed Rail Chicago to St. Louis program. One of the goals is to provide a route through Springfield that achieves the purpose of the high-speed rail program.
It is anticipated that rail traffic in Springfield will increase from 35 trains per day to 81 trains per day by 2030. Springfield has 68 at-grade rail crossings. When the 10th Street rail corridor is complete, there will be 32 at-grade rail crossings, eight new underpasses and one new overpass. Carpenter Street is the first new underpass completed as part of the Springfield Rail Improvements Project. The Ash Street underpass was completed in 2019. The Laurel Street underpass was completed in 2021, and replacement underpasses at Fifth and Sixth streets were finished in 2022. The remaining segments of the project are scheduled for completion by 2025.
Watch the video: Springfield Rail Improvements Project
The overall Springfield Rail Improvements Project is intended to increase safety by reducing the number of at-grade crossings, congestion and vehicle emissions, decreasing noise by creating a “quiet zone” for the rail corridor and enhancing livability and commercial activity by diminishing the barriers created by rail lines through commercial and residential areas.
Since the Springfield Rail Improvements Project began, the public involvement and outreach has included advisory group meetings with project stakeholders, public officials, business owners, community leaders, neighborhood associations and medical professionals; public open houses; presentations to community groups and organizations; bimonthly steering committee meetings; and a project newsletter and website.
"Hanson's experienced staff has worked alongside us since the beginning with planning, engineering, public involvement and grant acquisition services, and their knowledge, commitment and versatility have been instrumental in keeping our flagship project moving forward." — Nathan Bottom, P.E., director, City of Springfield Office of Public Works