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Belvidere secures FRA and IDOT grants, approves phase‑1 engineering for Appleton (Upton) Road grade separation
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Summary
The council approved a phase‑1 engineering agreement (not to exceed $2,099,853) funded primarily by an FRA grant ($1,666,279) and IDOT contribution ($416,569.75), and approved a $4,000 contract with HLR to prepare a CREC grant application for phase‑2 funding.
Belvidere City Council moved forward on a long‑standing Appleton (Upton) Road grade‑separation project on April 27, approving grant‑funded engineering and a small consultant contract to pursue additional federal funding.
Director Anderson reported the city received a Federal Railroad Administration grant of $1,666,279 and an Illinois Department of Transportation grant of $416,569.75 to support phase‑1 preliminary engineering and environmental review. He recommended approving an agreement with Hampton, Lindsay & Renwick not to exceed $2,099,853 for phase‑1 work, to be paid from $2,082,848.70 in grant funds and $17,004.30 from the capital fund line item. Council approved the agreement by voice vote.
Anderson also briefed the council on a U.S. DOT notice of funding opportunity for consolidated rail infrastructure and safety improvements (CREC/CRISI). He said the current cost estimate to complete phase‑2 design engineering is $3.5 million and recommended approving a proposal from HLR for up to $4,000 to prepare the FRA grant application for that phase; council approved the HLR proposal.
Council members noted that securing phase‑1 engineering is an important step to position the project for future capital funding and that updated construction cost estimates are likely to rise. The mayor reported a call with Congressman Foster indicating an additional $1 million allocation may be available to support final engineering in future cycles.
