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Council moves 19th Street rail‑corridor feasibility study forward, debates $500,000 Hansen contract
Summary
The Planning Committee moved a Hansen professional services agreement for a 19th Street rail‑corridor feasibility study into debate and heard that the study would take roughly six months after agreement execution; Mayor Buscher argued new analysis is needed given changed rail traffic forecasts.
The City of Springfield Planning Committee on Jan. 13 moved forward a professional services agreement with Hansen Professional Services Inc. to begin preliminary engineering for a feasibility study of the 19th Street rail corridor, a measure the committee placed on the debate calendar for further review.
Clerk read ordinance 20 26 114 authorizing the execution of a professional services agreement with Hansen not to exceed $500,000 for the Office of Public Works. Aldermen voted to send the ordinance to debate before taking final action.
Mayor Paul Buscher told the council that a prior study, completed in 2020, projected up to nine trains a day on the 19th Street track by 2030 but current counts are far lower: “In 2020 … there were approximately four trains a day on this 19th Street track. … And as you know, we’re in ‘20 starting 2026 now and there are actually two trains a day on the track, not anywhere near the nine that was estimated,” he said, arguing the new study is needed to evaluate cost‑benefit and updated options for the corridor.
Mike Minnehal of Hansen said the firm expects the overall timeframe to be about six months after the agreement is executed, with the city executing first and the state following. Minnehal described the study’s outreach plan as including stakeholder engagement and at least one public meeting during the feasibility process. Director Fuchs provided a related estimate of roughly 90 days for a particular phase of work.
Council members asked whether the study would include updated cost estimates and potential funding options. Minnehal confirmed the scope will include a high‑level cost analysis and will identify potential funding sources; he said those elements and funding options would be addressed in the final report.
Clerk and staff noted part of the work on the wider rail project has been funded through a $10 million grant; Minnehal provided a rough figure that city funds historically have represented a portion of the larger corridor work. He characterized that city dollars have been involved but did not provide an exact, confirmed city contribution figure.
The committee approved by voice the motion to debate the Hansen contract; the ordinance will return for final consideration following the committee’s further review and any requested clarifications.
Next steps: the committee has placed ordinance 20 26 114 on the docket for further consideration and public discussion; Hansen and staff said they will hold stakeholder outreach and at least one public meeting during the feasibility study.
