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CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — The City of Champaign is actively searching for answers when it comes to one of their primary railroad crossings. It has a deadly history and the city wants to prevent any other issues.
The crossing is near North Oak Street and Bradley Avenue.
The city’s goal is to get a more clear understanding of what they can do to minimize complications at that intersection. They’ve talked about building a bridge or underpass but they’re still weighing which option would be better.
Champaign applied for a grant from the Department of Transportation worth $240,000. They would also free up another $60,000 from their office.
The grant would be used to hire a railroad consultant. The city’s associate planner said in the past few years, three people have died at the crossing.
“This is, you know, step one. Like, ‘What do we want to do here?’ This is when we figure out what our options are and we come to a consensus with nearby residents and people who use this road on what’s our preferred alternative — what would an improved Bradley Avenue crossing look like?” Associate planner Daniel Saphiere said.
He said if the grant is approved they’ll be able to move on to the next steps. But right now he wants the community to understand that no construction is currently happening. During Tuesday night’s city council meeting they’ll determine if they’ll go through with the project or not.