The Illinois Commerce Commission has granted approval for construction of a new bridge that will carry County Highway 19 (7000 N Road) over the Union Pacific tracks, in Kankakee County. The County proposes to reconstruct the structure with a new multi-steel stringer and reinforced concrete bridge. It will have a 30-foot wide travel surface with bridge railing on each side, and will provide 23-feet minimum vertical clearance over the railroad tracks.

The total cost of the new structure is estimated to be $2.6 million. The Grade Crossing Protection Fund will pay 60 percent of eligible project costs for the new bridge, not to exceed $1,572,000. Project costs eligible for reimbursement from the GCPF include preliminary engineering, land acquisition, construction engineering and construction.

The ICC has granted approval for the installation of automatic flashing light signals and gates, and improvement of the highway approaches, at the E. 1000S, S. 9500E and E. 2500S Road highway-rail crossings of the Union Pacific track located near Momence, Kankakee County. The estimated cost to install the new automatic flashing light signals and gates is $838,948. The Grade Crossing Protection Fund will be used to pay 90 percent of the warning device installation costs, not to exceed $755,053. UP will pay the remaining warning device installation costs, as well as all future operating and maintenance costs. Ganeer Township Road District will pay $10,000 towards the cost to improve the roadway approach grades. The GCPF will pay the remaining cost ($87,689) involved with the approach work. The Road District will be responsible for all remaining costs associated with improving the roadway approach grades, as well as all future maintenance costs. All work is to be completed by Sept. 24, 2011.

ICC approved the installation of new automatic flashing light signals and gates controlled by constant warning time circuitry at the Hemstock Road crossing of Illinois Railway's track near Holcomb, Ogle County. The total estimated cost for the safety improvements is $231,200. The GCPF will be used to pay 85 percent of the installation costs, not to exceed $196,520. Flagg Township Highway Department will pay 10 percent of the installation costs, not to exceed $23,120. Illinois Railway will pay all remaining installation costs, as well as all future operating and maintenance costs. All work is to be completed by Sept. 24, 2011.

Project selection and management of GCPF highway-rail safety projects include safety improvements such as the installation of new warning systems, highway approach improvements and the construction/reconstruction of grade separation structures. The Commission administers the GCPF, which is funded by motor fuel tax money designated for rail safety improvements. The General Assembly appropriates $42 million annually for GCPF projects.