Galesburg council backs FRA planning application for railroad crossing elimination

Galesburg City Council voted unanimously Sept. 16 to approve Resolution 242022, authorizing city staff to support and commit local funds for a Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) railroad crossing elimination planning application.

City staff described the planning study as covering safety and mobility improvements at the South Street railroad underpass and the Mulberry Street at-grade crossing, including options to close the Mulberry crossing and replace and realign the South Street underpass to eliminate height restrictions. "Staff is recommending approval of a resolution of support and commitment of local funds for a railroad crossing elimination program application to the Federal Rail Administration," City staff member Hansen told the council during the presentation.

Staff provided an estimated planning-phase cost of $1,683,908 and said the FRA program would cover 80% of that cost. Hansen said BNSF has agreed to partner on the application and to provide engineering consultant services at BNSF's expense. During the presentation Hansen noted a local match figure of "$168,003.80" while an unclear fragment of the transcript also included "$399"; the council did not change funding commitments during the vote and approved the resolution 7-0.

The resolution moves the city into the application and planning phase; staff said later phases and any construction costs would be subject to later review and additional approvals. The vote was recorded as Hicks, Dennis, Miller, White, Acharya, Davis and Cheeseman voting yes.