Lockport Receives $2 Million In Grants For Railroad Crossing Upgrades

LOCKPORT, IL — The City of Lockport, CN Railways and the Illinois Department of Transportation have accepted and signed agreements for just over $2 million in grants on two railroad crossings in Lockport, the City said in a news release.

The grants are for the installation of flashing LED light signals, 4-quadrant vehicle gates and pedestrian gates at the Lockport Metra Station on the CN Railway at 13th Street, and pedestrian gates and new signals at Eighth Street, according to the City. Funds from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act are being used locally.

The City thanked Senator Tammy Duckworth of the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee’s Surface Transportation Subcommittee, for availability of programs that offer 80 percent federal funding through IDOT.

"It’s especially appreciated that the shared 20 percent local match was provided from the CN Railways that will help us cover 100 percent of the costs in the amount of $1,403,279.00 in grant funding for the 13th Street Metra Station upgrades, with zero match requirement from the City of Lockport," the City said.

This grant is in addition to a $597,238 grant announced earlier this year. That grant is for CN Railway's Eighth Street crossing, for pedestrian gates and LED signal upgrades. The grant is 80 percent funded from federal dollars, and 20 percent local match from CN Railway.

"I’m pleased to see the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law at work right here in Illinois," Duckworth said in a release. “I was proud to help pass this historic law, and I’m glad to see Lockport using the investments in it to make these important rail crossing safety improvements. I’ll keep working to make sure Illinois has the support it needs to make these necessary infrastructure improvements.”

“With such close proximity to the residents in the downtown area, the City of Lockport appreciates its partnership with CN and IDOT as rail safety is a priority in Lockport,” Mayor
Steve Streit said in a release.

“The City of Lockport is thankful that CN Railways provided over $200,000 in local match funds, as well as the full installation time and labor for both installations,” said City Administrator Ben Benson.

The installation is expected to start in 2023 and be completed by 2024.