Efforts to address decades of traffic congestion at the Market Street railroad crossing are moving into the next phase, as city officials and engineers gather public input on a proposed solution.
The city hosted the first of three open houses on Tuesday for the Market Street Railroad Crossing Elimination Project, giving residents an opportunity to review early concepts and share concerns as planning nears completion.
The project is supported by a $1.6 million planning grant from the Federal Railroad Administration and focuses on eliminating conflicts between trains and vehicle traffic at one of Crawfordsville’s busiest and most problematic crossings.
Engineers with HWC Engineering, the firm hired by the city, said the project is approaching the end of its planning phase and preparing to move into preliminary design.
“So, the city received a grant from the Federal Railroad Administration. And so, with that grant, the city hired us, HWC Engineering, to do both the planning and what we call the preliminary engineering,” said lead engineer Lauren Shipman.
That work includes evaluating multiple alternatives, along with cost estimates and impact studies, before a preferred option can advance. Shipman said the project will be developed to about a 30% design level under the current funding, with that phase expected to wrap up by May 2027.
“We’re waiting for their approval of that planning package, so we don’t have formal approval of the design yet,” she said.
While a final design has not been selected, engineers said an overpass is the anticipated solution. Additional federal funding will be required for final design and construction, which could begin closer to 2028 or 2029.
Residents attending the open house raised concerns about how the project could affect daily life, particularly access to homes and businesses near the crossing.
Jolleen Hill, who owns Studio J, a salon about a block from the tracks, said uncertainty about the final design makes it difficult to plan for the future.
“And so, when they’re talking about the overpass, there’s the potential of is it going to make it where the salon is not accessible or will we have to relocate?” Hill said. “So, that’s my concern is being prepared for the outcome because I have several stylists in there and it affects many households if we have to move.”
Others expressed frustration with ongoing traffic backups when trains block the crossing, an issue that has persisted for years and continues to affect nearby neighborhoods.
City officials said public feedback will help guide the project as it moves forward. Residents can also submit questions and concerns through the project website, which will be updated as new information becomes available, at CrawfordsvilleCrossing.com.
Two additional open houses are planned as part of the public engagement process. The next meeting is scheduled for 6-7 p.m. June 3 at Fusion 54, 101 W. Main St.
