Created by RDG Planning and Design for Hanson Skilled Providers Inc
North Grand Avenue proceeds over Norfolk Southern and Illinois Midland railroad tracks on this architectural rendering depicting a view from the north of a deliberate overpass between eleventh and nineteenth streets in Springfield. Robin Roberts Stadium, instantly north of the overpass, is within the foreground.
Development on the one overpass in Springfield’s rail enhancements undertaking is predicted to begin in early 2025 after federal officers introduced $157 million in last grant funds.
The federal allocation, introduced by U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski, D-Springfield, and by U.S. Sens. Dick Durbin, D-Springfield, and Tammy Duckworth, D-Hoffman Estates, additionally will assist pay for building of the transportation heart referred to as The Hub – with prepare and bus entry – instantly north of the Sangamon County Constructing.
Connected to the Hub might be a four-level parking deck with 600-plus areas.
“That is the final piece of funding for the undertaking,” Sangamon County Board Chair Andy Van Meter, a Springfield Republican, instructed Illinois Instances. “We are able to say with confidence that it’s going to occur.”
Completion of the complete $471 million undertaking, designed to alleviate rail congestion in Springfield by consolidating Third Avenue hall rail visitors alongside tenth Avenue, is now anticipated in fall 2027.
Work on last elements of the undertaking was delayed when native officers have been unable to safe $138 million in federal funding a yr in the past. The sum of money wanted to finish the undertaking has risen since then due to inflation, Van Meter stated.
Development bids for eventual contracts paid for with the brand new inflow of cash might be solicited within the subsequent 60 to 90 days, he stated.
A lot of the undertaking is being paid for by the federal authorities. County authorities can pay for about $40 million of the entire, funded with low-interest borrowing that will not lead to any tax will increase, Van Meter stated.
Springfield metropolis authorities contributed about $2.5 million to the general value, and a number of other million got here from the Illinois Division of Transportation and Illinois Commerce Fee, he stated.
Durbin stated in an Oct. 25 information launch: “Connecting communities is on the coronary heart of transportation, and right this moment’s announcement of federal funding for a brand new Amtrak station, rail enhancements and observe realignments in Springfield will higher join passengers between St. Louis and Chicago. The Springfield Rail Enhancements Venture is dramatically altering downtown Springfield by decreasing rail congestion, creating jobs and bettering security for passengers, drivers and pedestrians.”
Budzinski added, “This funding, and the brand new 1908 Springfield Race Riot Nationwide Monument alongside the undertaking’s route, will honor our historical past and construct a brilliant future for our metropolis.”
The overpass will carry North Grand Avenue over Norfolk Southern and Illinois Midland railroad tracks from eleventh to nineteenth streets. The overpass will attain a top of about 30 toes, in line with Mike Mendenhall, senior structural engineer at Hanson Skilled Providers Inc. Hanson is offering design and engineering providers for the general undertaking.
The overpass might be adjoining to Robin Roberts Stadium, which is about the identical top as the best a part of the deliberate overpass, Mendenhall stated.
The newest spherical of federal grant funding additionally will enable building of an underpass that may route North Grand below Union Pacific tracks between Ninth and eleventh streets, in line with Nate Backside, Springfield’s chief metropolis engineer.
A second set of Union Pacific tracks might be put in as a part of rail enhancements to accommodate elevated rail visitors alongside the tenth Avenue hall, Backside stated.
The Hub will value $129 million and can embody an indoor, air-conditioned County Sq. atrium close to the doorway, with a “grand stair” going up three tales and elevators for individuals who do not wish to use the steps.
The atrium may have seating for individuals to assemble, get pleasure from meals and drinks bought by a built-in café and examine free leisure, Van Meter stated. As soon as accomplished, The Hub will present the brand new public entrance to the County Constructing, changing the present entrance alongside Ninth Avenue.
