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Purpose
Background
Project Description
Preferred Alignment
Current Status
Public Involvement
Purpose
The purpose of this project is to conduct a preliminary engineering study for the widening and replacement of the North Aurora Road Underpass at the Elgin, Joliet, & Eastern (EJ&E)/ Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad (BNSF) railroad tracks.
Background
The cities of Naperville and Aurora and Naperville Township have experienced tremendous growth over the past several decades. This growth has brought numerous opportunities and challenges to both cities' transportation systems. The EJ&E and BNSF Railway are part of the transportation system in both communities. Although these lines offer valuable freight and commuter transit services, they also form a physical barrier inhibiting the movement of automobiles, bicyclists and pedestrians between the two communities.
In 2004, a feasibility study that investigated potential improvements at four railroad crossing locations along the Naperville/Aurora boundary was completed. The goal of these potential improvements is to minimize the disturbance of traffic flow and maximize safety at railroad crossings.
Of the four locations studied, the North Aurora Road Underpass at the EJ&E/BNSF railroads was determined to have the highest priority. See the attached location map. Based upon this determination, the Cities of Naperville and Aurora and Naperville Township initiated and funded a Preliminary Engineering Study of improvements for the North Aurora Road Underpass.
Project Description
The proposed improvements to the North Aurora Road Underpass at the EJ&E/BNSF consist of widening and replacement of the existing railroad bridge to accommodate two vehicular traffic lanes in each direction, a bicycle path, a pedestrian sidewalk, and drainage enhancements. Accommodations for improvements needed for the future STAR Line Commuter will also be considered.
The preliminary engineering study will evaluate different alternatives/ alignments to accomplish these improvements. Specifically, the study will assess potential impacts to the environment, access points, right-of-way needs, highway and railroad geometric constraints, drainage considerations, and soil conditions. At the end of the study, cost estimates will be developed for each scenario and a preferred alternative will be selected.
Preferred Alignment
Based upon feedback from all the project stakeholders and numerous design considerations, staff is recommending the north alignment design as the preferred alternative. Click on the following to view the preferred alignment:
Click on the following to view the proposed lane configuration:
To view the timeline for Phase 1 Preliminary Engineering, click here (PDF 1.19 MB).
Current Status
The north alignment was selected as the preferred alternative for the proposed improvements to the underpass. The preliminary engineering report has been submitted to the Illinois Department of Transportation for final approval. Once the preliminary engineering report is approved, the agencies can begin the process of developing the detailed design and acquiring the necessary easements or right-of-way. The City and our partner agencies have begun seeking federal funding for construction of the project, tentatively scheduled for 2014.
Public Involvement
Public Open House Held April 23, 2009
The Cities of Naperville, Aurora and Naperville Township hosted a public open house to obtain community input on two proposed projects:
- Preliminary alignments for roadway widening and improvements on North Aurora Road between Frontenac Road and Weston Ridge Drive (just west of Illinois Route 59).
- The recommended alignment for the widening and improvement of the North Aurora Road underpass at the EJ&E/CN railroad tracks.
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