The project is an alternatives analysis for the bradley avenue railroad crossing in the city of champaign, illinois

The Federal Railroad Administration awarded the City of Champaign $300,000 on October 1, 2025, under the Railroad Crossing Elimination program (CFDA 20.327) to conduct an alternatives analysis for the Bradley Avenue railroad crossing in Champaign, Illinois.

The City will retain a consultant to evaluate options for improving safety and mobility at this critical intersection, including potential grade separation and methods to enhance safety for vehicles and pedestrians while reducing delays caused by train crossings. The recipient will prepare a project management plan describing implementation and monitoring procedures, conduct technical analysis and stakeholder outreach, and develop a comprehensive project planning package consistent with FRA guidance on railroad capital project development. The planning package will address grade separation, safety enhancements, and mobility improvements aligned with the project planning lifecycle stage identified in FRA's January 11, 2023 guidance.

Performance runs through January 31, 2028, in Champaign, Illinois. This is a Project Grant (assistance type), with funding obligated as reimbursement upon achievement of project milestones.

The city will retain a consultant to evaluate options for improving safety and mobility at this critical intersection. The analysis will explore potential grade separation and methods to enhance safety, for vehicles and pedestrians and to reduce delays caused by train crossings. The recipient will prepare a project management plan (PMP), that describes how the project will be implemented and monitored to ensure effective, efficient, and safe delivery of the project on time and within budget. The PMP will describe, in detail, the activities and steps necessary to complete the tasks outlined in this statement of work. The recipient will conduct technical analysis, stakeholder outreach, and other project planning activities, and prepare a project planning package as detailed in the PMP. The project planning package will be consistent with the objectives of the project planning lifecycle stage identified in the FRA guidance on development and implementation of railroad capital projects (january 11, 2023). The project planning package will include all information.