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Urbana previews five-year CIP; Lincoln Avenue road-diet demonstration to inform design
Summary
Public works staff presented Urbana’s draft FY27–FY31 Capital Improvement Plan, highlighted RAISE‑funded Florida Avenue work and a demonstration road diet on Lincoln Avenue funded by an SS4A grant; staff said the temporary lane reconfiguration will be removed in June and will inform phase‑two design for potential FY28 construction.
Urbana public works staff on Thursday previewed the draft five‑year Capital Improvement Plan (FY27–FY31), outlining funding sources, maintenance programs and a suite of near‑term and multi‑year projects.
Justin Swinford, interim city engineer, and Carmen Franks, assistant city engineer, walked the Committee of the Whole through dedicated funds — including the Capital Replacement and Improvement fund (CRNI), stormwater utility fee, local and state motor‑fuel taxes, and the sanitary sewer benefit tax — and described how those sources and external grants will fund projects that range from street resurfacing to facility upgrades.
Highlight projects: staff flagged Springfield Avenue resurfacing, the public works campus renovation, Baker’s Lane and Florida Avenue shared‑use paths (with ITP and RAISE funding), and a sanitary sewer lateral‑lining pilot funded partly by ARPA in the Dr. Ellis neighborhood.
Lincoln Avenue: staff devoted substantial time to the Lincoln Avenue corridor demonstration. Funded under a Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) award, the demonstration temporarily reduced a four‑lane section to a three‑lane configuration to observe traffic and safety outcomes. "The intention of the project is to slow people down so that we have fewer crashes," Swinford said. The temporary striping is scheduled to be removed in June; staff will begin phase‑two design over the summer and hopes to access construction funds in FY28 pending competitive grant awards.
Pedestrian safety: staff said the full project would include pedestrian safety elements not possible in a temporary demonstration — specifically midblock crossings with rapid‑rectangular flashing beacons and refuge islands at locations near schools and parks.
Sanitary-sewer pilot: Carmen Franks summarized a private‑lateral lining pilot in Dr. Ellis: of 144 properties contacted, 133 consented to inspection and 109 signed up for lining; contractors were wrapping work expected to conclude before the end of summer, with a future council presentation planned with community partners.
What’s next: staff asked the council to review the draft CIP posted on the city website, invited public comment during the 30‑day review period, and said they plan to return with a resolution to adopt the CIP and associated budget allocations in June.
Attribution: quotes and technical details in this report come from Justin Swinford and Carmen Franks, who led the presentation and fielded council questions.
