Eliminate a grade crossing through constructing a grade-separated overpass bridge

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) awarded $13.6 million to the Town of Schererville Public Works Department under the Railroad Crossing Elimination program (CFDA 20.327) on May 1, 2025, to eliminate a highway-rail grade crossing in Schererville, Indiana. The project will construct a grade-separated overpass bridge to safely separate vehicular traffic from railroad operations, with completion targeted for October 31, 2027. In addition to grade separation, the project encompasses road widening from two to four lanes, sidewalk improvements, water main and sewer relocation and replacement, and stormwater drainage enhancements.

The Town of Schererville will deliver these infrastructure improvements through a structured, multi-phase approach, having previously secured sub-awards from the Indiana Department of Transportation for preliminary engineering, right-of-way acquisition, and construction engineering activities dating from October 2021 through August 2024. As a condition of award, the recipient must submit a project management plan and a final performance report documenting project completion. Funding will be obligated and disbursed on a reimbursement basis as project milestones are achieved, consistent with standard FRA grant administration practices for highway-rail crossing elimination projects.

The recipient will construct a grade-separated crossing and widen the road from two lanes to four lanes, improve sidewalks, relocate and replace city water mains and sewer, and complete stormwater drainage improvements. The recipient will submit a project management plan, and a final performance report. The beneficiary to this project is the town of schererville and norfolk s