The City of Crawfordsville has been awarded funding for the Market Street rail overpass by the Federal Railroad Administration under the Rail Crossing Elimination Grant Program.
The awarded funding provides up to $35,300,800 for Market Street Railroad Crossing Elimination final design, right-of-way acquisition and construction, and will eliminate the at-grade crossing through a future grade separation over CSX tracks in Crawfordsville for Market Street, US 136, State Road 32 and State Road 47. The total project cost is estimated at approximately $45 million with the remaining match funding coming from Indiana Department of Transportation, CSX Transportation and the City of Crawfordsville.
The crossing has been plagued by lengthy blockages for decades, often lasting several hours per occurrence adversely affecting the 16,492 vehicles, nearly 10% of which are commercial trucks, that cross it daily. A study conducted from late 2022 through early 2024 measured rail activity along with blockage times and determined that blockages at the crossing were costing residents and businesses $2.67 million annually based on a formula outlined in USDOT Benefit-Cost Analysis Guidance. In addition, it was estimated that nearly 56,000 gallons of gasoline, and 11,000 gallons of diesel were wasted per year by vehicles idling at the crossing. The study also identified hundreds of interactions between trains and emergency vehicles, as well as trains and pedestrians, including a pedestrian fatality near the crossing.
In 2024 the city was awarded a $1.6 million Planning Grant by FRA to evaluate the problem and determine the most efficient solution for addressing it. The planning process is nearing completion and has assessed options by measuring cost effectiveness, potential historical and environmental considerations, as well as the impact on area properties and utilities. The planning process included public information sessions and has considered verbal and written public input. The planning study determined that separating rail and vehicular traffic by elevating the road over the railway was the best option. The thoroughness of work done under the Planning Grant was a significant factor in the project receiving full funding from the FRA.
City representatives are scheduled to meet with officials from FRA this week and will communicate more detailed information regarding timeline and next steps once they are determined. In general, the project is expected to progress through the final stages of design along with property acquisition over the next 14 months, with construction estimated to begin in 2028.
“This is a major step forward for our community and not only addresses a significant problem that has persisted for decades but creates an opportunity for us to work closely in partnership with INDOT to rethink and improve traffic flow through the heart of our city,” said Crawfordsville Mayor Todd Barton. Barton went on to say, “I’ve never lost sight of the fact that the people and businesses of Crawfordsville want this problem addressed once and for all. Today, I can finally report to them that through hard-work and persistence, the incredible team we have assembled has secured the funding to do just that.” Barton added, “I’m incredibly pleased with the plan being developed, as it solves the problem in a way that reflects the historic nature of our downtown and the importance of adjoining neighborhoods, and while the construction process will bring challenges, we will work tirelessly to ensure it is as smooth as possible, ultimately resulting in an immeasurable improvement to life in our community well into the future.”
Barton concluded by thanking those involved.
“This has been a total team effort, and I would like to thank the team from HWC Engineering along with Brandy Allen for their diligent determination to ensure our planning and application was competitive on a national level, ultimately securing federal funding. Lastly, I want to thank everyone in our community for their patience enduring the problems with this crossing over the years, and for always supporting our efforts to address it.”
Additional information and details about the project can be found on the City of Crawfordsville’s website at https://www.crawfordsvillecrossing.com/.
