NOEGA, Ill. (WCIA) — The City of Neoga is adding an automatic warning system to a problematic railway crossing.

The crossing currently only has yield signs, but the new, almost $500,000 dollar plan will add an automatic flashing light system to 7th street; a residential street that has experienced a number of problems through the years.

“There were some safety issues because kids couldn’t get back and forth from school, sometimes they were walking, sometimes they’d crawl under some stopped trains, so there were some hazardous issues there,” said City Administrator Brenda Evans. 

Both Evans and residents in the neighborhood said cars have incurred serious damage as well, as a result of the steep incline leading up to the tracks. The project, which the city has been trying to get done for 15 years, will help to alleviate this issue by leveling out the surrounding streets. 

Neoga is not using local taxpayer money to fund the project, however. The Illinois Commerce Commision is paying for 90% of the repair and the Decatur & Eastern Illinois Railroad will pay for the other 10%. 

The city hopes to break ground by the end of the summer and plans to fully complete the renovations in the next 18 months.