By HOI ABC
NORMAL – A vote is expected Monday night whether the Normal Town Council will back construction of a nearly $24 million underpass allowing pedestrians and bicyclists to travel under the Union Pacific Railroad tracks in Uptown Normal.
The council will decide whether to sign off on a grant agreement with the federal government which would require local taxpayers to fund about 7% of the cost, or almost $1.7 million. The U.S. Transportation Department’s BUILD program would contribute $13 million, which is $3 million less the town government requested. The rest of the cost would come from other federal and state government funding sources.
Two council members expressed skepticism about the project when it was last discussed at a council meeting in June.
“I have just struggled fundamentally since 2015 that the government is telling people how to cross a railroad track,” said Council member Kathleen Lorenz during the council’s June 7 meeting.
At the same meeting, Council member Stan Nord said he considers the underpass a “luxury” item when it’s compared to more pressing needs like upgrading infrastructure.
“I’m going to be very vocal if we pushed off these high priority things, and told the public we couldn’t afford to do them, and we were saving for this luxury underpass project,” Nord said.
The staff’s report to the council said an underpass connecting the north and south Amtrak passenger platforms also provides “safe and accessible” passage for Constitution Trail users, while also offers the hope for increased economic development by creating a more direct connection between the north and south plazas in Uptown.
Monday’s council meeting at Uptown Station is scheduled to start at 7 p.m.
