Normal Mayor estimates underpass project a minimum of three years away

Posted on July 27, 2021
The only no vote came from Town Council member Stan Nord. He considers the underpass a “luxury” item compared to higher priorities like infrastructure improvements. (Photo courtesy Town of Normal)

By Blake Haas

NORMAL – A little more than a week after the Town of Normal approved a nearly $24 million underpass for pedestrians and bike riders, the Town’s top elected officials say the underpass is at least three years away from completion.

Speaking with WJBC’s Marc Strauss, Normal Mayor Chris Koos says the project is a no-brainer, with most of the funding for the project coming from federal grant money.

“This is a long-range project. This connects the area south of the tracks, which we have identified for redevelopment, possibly a library, moderate-income housing, some office space possibly. We’ll go through a master plan process on that soon.

However, Koos says local taxpayers would be on the hook for almost $1.7 million to complete the project without having to raise taxes.

“There’s still a lot of work to be done. And once that work on the underpass is started, then I think we can start talking with potential developers on what they want to do.”

For the total project, including redevelopment around the underpass, Koss estimates eight to 10-years for the entire project.

The council approved the project with a 6-1 vote, with the only no vote coming from council member Stan Nord.

Blake Haas can be reached at [email protected].

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