Lifetime Citizen Portal Access — AI Briefings, Alerts & Unlimited Follows
Council OKs $499,276 PEL study for Elburn–DeKalb rail corridor; federal grant covers most costs
Loading...
Summary
Council approved Resolution 20207 authorizing a consulting agreement with T.Y. Lynn/International Great Lakes Inc. for a planning and environmental (PEL) study along the Union Pacific corridor between Elburn and DeKalb at a contract amount of $499,276; city manager said the federal government will fund 80% and the city budget includes $100,000.
The DeKalb City Council voted April 13 to approve Resolution 20207, authorizing a consulting agreement with T.Y. Lynn/International Great Lakes Inc. to conduct a planning and environmental linkage (PEL) study along the Union Pacific corridor between Elburn and DeKalb.
City Manager told council the project is grant driven and that the federal government will pay four‑fifths of the study cost. "It's a $500,000 project. We're putting in $100,000 which we have money for in our transportation budget for this year," he said, adding that the study is a necessary next step to determine feasibility and move closer to shovel‑ready status for future grant applications.
Staff noted roughly three proposals were received and that the selected firm scored highest under the city's evaluation criteria. Councilmembers cited IDOT pre‑award concurrence and Northern Illinois University's interest in commuter access as factors supporting moving forward. The resolution passed by roll call.
Next steps: the consultant will perform the PEL study to meet grant requirements and produce documentation needed for further grant and engineering steps; staff said additional regional and state discussions will occur as the study advances.
