Council approves ICC-BNSF crossing upgrades and closure plan for East 1st Street

The council voted unanimously to approve Illinois Commerce Commission stipulated agreements with BNSF Railway to improve rail-highway crossings on the Peoria subdivision, including installing gate arms and constant-warning-time circuitry at five crossings and upgrading the Pearl Street crossing while closing the East 1st Street crossing.

City staff said BNSF will be responsible for installation costs. The city will be responsible for modifying roadway approaches, sidewalks and curbing at an estimated cost of $36,001 but will be reimbursed through grade crossing protection funds. For the East 1st Street closure and Pearl Street upgrades staff said the project will generate $150,000 in GCPF assistance and $10,000 each from BNSF and the Illinois Department of Transportation as closure incentives; staff estimated the city's closure-related cost at about $90,000 and an estimated net credit to the city of roughly $80,000 after assistance.

Staff described the closure as required for safety and noted traffic counts of approximately 50 vehicles per day at the East 1st crossing; one council member who represents the area expressed long-standing support for a quiet zone and urged moving the project forward.

What happens next: Staff and BNSF will implement the upgrades and begin required roadway modifications; the city will document reimbursement through grade crossing protection funds and manage the closure logistics.