Will County committee approves BNSF‑funded Lorenzo Road grade separation contract; construction set to start after pre‑construction meeting

The Will County Transportation Committee approved a contract to proceed with construction of a grade separation on Lorenzo Road (County Highway 80) over BNSF Railway, a project staff described as funded entirely by BNSF and reimbursed to the county.

Chief engineer Jeff told the committee that BNSF petitioned the Interstate Commerce Commission and secured funding for the grade separation that will move the Lorenzo Road crossing north by roughly 50–100 feet; temporary runarounds are planned so traffic remains open during construction. "The cost is there roughly 18,800,000.0 for the construction," Jeff said, and staff estimated the project would take about two years with a completion target in November 2027.

Committee members asked about start and completion timing, the reason the site was prioritized and the requirements of the reimbursement arrangement. Jeff said BNSF is funding the entirety of construction and will reimburse the county, that the project is required by the ICC order and is driven by BNSF’s yard expansion and associated slow, high‑volume train movements at the crossing.

The committee moved, seconded and voted to approve the contract action and to proceed to a pre‑construction meeting; staff said the pre‑construction meeting would be scheduled within about a month and that the county would coordinate temporary traffic controls and runarounds during construction.

The committee did not record an itemized roll‑call vote in the transcript for the award but announced the motion carried.