CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — The City of Champaign is receiving a federal grant to plan a grade separation project at the Bradley Ave. rail crossing.

On Tuesday, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) announced that the $240,000 grant will help eliminate the risk of collision between trains and roadway users, while also preventing traffic delays at the Bradley Ave. crossing.

The crossing at that location is currently an “at-grade rail crossing,” meaning that the railway and the road are on the same level.

The money is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) Railroad Crossing Elimination Grant Program which provides funding to study and improve highway-rail crossings across the country.

“Accidents at grade crossings, like the one on Bradley Avenue, are a leading cause of rail-related deaths in the United States,” Budzinski said. “With this grade separation project, we have the chance to save lives from a potential tragedy in our community.”

More than 2,000 incidents and 200 fatalities happen at grade crossings each year, and these accidents are the second-leading cause of rail-related deaths across the country. Slow moving/stalled trains at grade crossings can also lead to delays and blockages for commuters, first responders, postal workers and other roadway users.

Budzinski has delivered over $10.2 million in federal funding for Champaign-Urbana in 2025. This funding has included a RAISE grant to improve safety on Florida Ave.

“This federal grant will allow the City of Champaign to study and develop safer alternatives to the current railroad crossing that is traveled by 12,500 vehicles each day,” Champaign Mayor Deborah Frank Feinen said. “Approximately 20 Amtrak and freight trains also cross Bradley Avenue daily, which leads to frequent and frustrating delays for motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians.”