Ramirez, Durbin, Duckworth Announce $13.1M in Federal Funding for Rail Transit Safety Improvements
Washington, DC — Today, Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03), U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) announced $13,100,000 in U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Railroad Crossing Elimination (RCE) Grant Program funding for grade crossing improvements on Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) infrastructure in the Village of Elmwood Park, Illinois. The Grand Avenue Proposed Grade Separation project would reduce traffic, improve Metra reliability, and ensure commuters’ safety by eliminating a dangerous crossing where 160 crashes occurred between 2018 and 2022.
“The benefits of investing in public infrastructure go beyond economic development, creation of good-paying jobs, and opportunities. We achieve cleaner environments, better family health outcomes, and safer commutes,” said Congresswoman Ramirez.“I’m proud that through an intergovernmental approach with Mayor Saviano, Village Manager Volpe, and our senators, Durbin and Duckworth, we have secured $13.1 million for a transformative project for the residents of Elmwood Park and Cook County at large. I look forward to continuing delivering the funding needed to improve safety, reliability, and efficiency in IL-03.”
“Today’s funding is a major investment in Illinois’ future. Our state’s communities will be safer and better connected because of these infrastructure projects that support Illinois’ rail industry, roads, and pedestrian paths,” said US Senator Dick Durbin. “Senator Duckworth and I will continue working with our Congressional colleagues to ensure our state has the federal resources to improve and expand Illinois’ infrastructure.”
“Investing in our rail infrastructure is about growing our economy and helping make it safer and more efficient for folks to get around,” US Senator Tammy Duckworth said. “This significant federal investment will help us modernize our rail system in Elmwood Park so all Illinoisans can access the commuter rail they need to go to work, go home and everywhere in between. I’ll keep working with Senator Durbin and Congresswoman Ramirez to help ensure our communities receive the much-needed federal resources they deserve.”
“The awarding of this $13.1 million grant by the federal government for the Grand Avenue underpass is great news for our community,” said Elmwood Park Mayor Angelo “Skip” Saviano. “We are deeply grateful not only to the Federal Railroad Administration but especially to Congresswoman Ramirez and the entire Illinois Congressional delegation for their unwavering support for this project. Today, we take a significant step toward making this quality of life enhancement a reality. Improved safety, less traffic congestion, and new opportunities for economic development are just some of the benefits that await us once the Grand Avenue underpass comes to fruition.”
“The Grand Avenue underpass project is more than just an Elmwood Park project. The benefits of this grade separation will flow to our entire region,” said Elmwood Park Village Manager Paul Volpe. “And it is only happening because of the strong support and teamwork we have from our partners in Washington, the State of Illinois, and Cook County. I also extend special thanks to the ICC and Metra for their support and cooperation.”
The Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois Commerce Commission, and Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways will provide the required 20% non-federal funding match.
“The Grand Avenue underpass project will be built by the hands of workers from our communities. I am thankful for Congresswoman Ramirez, Mayor Saviano, and the Illinois Congressional Delegation for their unwavering commitment to deliver this funding to create good-paying union jobs in Elmwood Park,” said IUOE Operating Engineers Local 150 President-Business Manager James M Sweeney. “The men and women of
IUOE Operating Engineers Local 150 are ready to continue our work together for the safety, security, and economic development of the region.”
Metra CEO/Executive Director Jim Derwinski said, "This investment from the Federal Railroad Administration will help deliver safer rail infrastructure to the Village of Elmwood Park, and travelers through the region. The Village's leadership has been diligent in securing support from the Congressional delegation, as well as coordinating with local stakeholders. Metra has already proudly committed $10 million toward this project, and we look forward to seeing this safety upgrade completed."
“We’re proud to once again work with our federal and local partners to modernize infrastructure in an important part of Illinois,” said Jason Osborn, Director of IDOT’s Office of Intermodal Project Implementation. “Projects like these not only make the movement of people and freight over rails more efficient and reliable, but improve safety and quality of life for residents who walk, bike and roll.”
BACKGROUND:
Congresswoman Ramirez has ensured the delivery of needed funding back to IL-03 to improve transportation infrastructure. In FY24:
- Ramirez secured $8 million in federal funds from the Department of Transportation’s Rail Crossing Elimination program to support the separation of Metra train traffic from pedestrians and cars in the Franklin Park community– a project that will improve safety and mobility for residents.
- Ramirez secured $840,000 in Community Project Funding for the Pace Suburban Bus Division of the Regional Transit Authority to implement transit signal improvements on Harlem Avenue between Irving Park Road and North Avenue, a corridor with one of the heaviest bus ridership rates in Cook County, Illinois. These transit signal improvements help facilitate shorter travel times for bus riders.
- Ramirez successfully advocated for $809,000 from the US Department of Transportation for the Village of Bensenville to conduct a demonstration activity pilot program to explore technology solutions centered around motor vehicle safety and emergency response times for at-grade rail crossings.