Major Grade Separation Projects Advance with Engineering Contracts

The committee approved two significant engineering agreements for major railroad overpass projects totaling over $4 million.

TranSystems Corporation received a $4,003,256 contract for construction engineering services on the Lorenzo Road overpass project spanning the BNSF Railroad in county board District 1. This project, funded entirely by BNSF Railway, will construct a new two-span bridge carrying Lorenzo Road over the railway, including realignment of Cottage Road and temporary construction access.

The Lorenzo Road project represents one of two major grade separations planned to reduce train-related traffic delays in the county.

A separate agreement with Burns & McDonnell for supplemental design services on the Wilmington-Peotone Road corridor was approved for $1,902,165. This covers the section from I-55 to Drecksler Road spanning county board Districts 1 and 2.

The Wilmington-Peotone Road project emerged from a comprehensive study to improve east-west connectivity in the county and reduce conflicts between vehicular and rail traffic.

Construction timelines for both projects will depend on completion of design work and right-of-way acquisition.