Springfield Rail Project takes a step forward with completed Carpenter Street underpass

Written by Mischa Wanek-Libman, editor
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Office of the Mayor - City of Springfield, Illinois

Officials held a ribbon cutting ceremony on Aug. 29 to mark the completion of the Carpenter Street underpass, a grade separation project that will also help support larger rail improvements in Springfield, Ill.

The $20-million underpass is the initial funded segment of the Springfield Rail Improvements Project, which is the central link in the Chicago to St. Louis High-Speed Rail Program. The project was a recipient of a $14.4-million Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant.

The project is intended to reduce congestion, improve safety and provide improved access to area hospitals from locations east of Eleventh Street. It involved lowering Carpenter Street between Ninth and Eleventh Streets, constructing new dual track railroad bridges and completing three blocks of drainage, grading and sub-ballast south of Carpenter Street to support future phases of the Springfield Rail Improvements Project.

The Carpenter Street Underpass closed three at-grade rail highway crossings, which enhances safety. When the project won the TIGER grant, it was estimated that upon completion, the grade separation would reduce car/train accidents by 80 percent and vehicle delays at rail crossings by 71 percent.

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