Town of Normal approves more than $530,000 for underpass project

The town is entering an agreement with Union Pacific Railroad Company’ for the construction, maintenance and use of pedestrian underpass. The proposed fees are $317,000. (Photo courtesy WMBD-TV)

By WMBD-TV

NORMAL – At Monday’s council meeting, the town of Normal approved several matters dealing with the underpass at the Uptown Station.

The town is entering an agreement with Union Pacific Railroad Company’ for the construction, maintenance and use of pedestrian underpass. The proposed fees are $317,000.

Another agreement will have CIRBN create alternative fiber cable routes so the town can be operational during construction. There is a one-time cost of $49,258.31 and an ongoing annual cost estimate of $3,500.

Also, AmerenIP will relocate a 34.5 KV utility line for the construction of the underpass. The relocation estimate is $117,471.24. The cost move to the power line back to the original location is estimated at $47,448.96. The town approved the total $164,920.20 for this item.

The next council meeting is June 3.

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…