When the city of Springfield, Illinois, launched its railroad corridor redevelopment study in 2011, the vision for the city’s rail corridors was to consolidate two of three rail lines to eliminate the tracks that run along Third Street, partially through the community’s downtown area. The Springfield Rail Improvements Project, which has entailed moving Union Pacific trains from the Third Street tracks to the city’s 10th Street rail corridor via building eight new underpasses, reconstructing four underpasses and building one new overpass to accommodate the consolidation.
The city’s vision for the Third Street corridor upon completion of the rail consolidation is a linear development that would provide a north-south path through Springfield for pedestrians and cyclists. The city’s primary goals for the corridor are implementation, a multiuse trail, safety, connectivity and destination. The city also envisions redevelopment opportunities in the spaces next to the path.
Hanson, which has provided design engineering, program management and construction support services for the rail relocation, also prepared a feasibility study for the Third Street development and has started Phase I environmental planning. The limit of the feasibility study from south to north is from the Interurban Trail at Stanford Avenue to an entrance at the southern edge of the Illinois State Fairgrounds. Hanson prepared conceptual plans for the corridor, illustrating the multiuse trail connection.
The project study required extensive coordination with the owner — the city of Springfield — along with local economic development agencies, to gather information identifying public and private redevelopment opportunities that would address the needs of downtown Springfield and using the information to advance revitalization efforts.
Hanson has also coordinated multiple public involvement meetings; attended regular coordination meetings with the Springfield Rail Improvements Project steering committee, providing them with short project updates; and met with Springfield, Sangamon County and Illinois Department of Transportation representatives.
