Springfield underpasses competing ​ for America’s top transportation project

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced that Springfield’s Jefferson and Madison Street underpasses are in the running for the grand prize in the America’s Transportation Awards, the top honor for state departments of transportation. The project was recognized for improving safety, mobility and quality of life in the heart of the capital city.

“We are proud of this recognition of the efforts with our local and railroad partners to make our communities safer and better places to live, work and play,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Gia Biagi. “With your help, we can bring this award home to Illinois, where it belongs.” 

The project is in competition for both the national Grand Prize and the People’s Choice Award. Each come with $10,000 in prize money for a charity or transportation-related scholarship fund chosen by the winning states. An independent panel of transportation industry experts will select the Grand Prize winner, while the general public will decide the People’s Choice Award through an online vote.

The winning projects will be announced Nov. 19 in Salt Lake City. Online voting begins today for the People’s Choice Award at www.americastransportationawards.org, continuing through Nov. 17. Individuals can cast no more than one vote a day.

The Springfield underpasses emerged as a Top 12 finalist out of the 113 projects submitted nationwide for the contest, hosted by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. A project managed by the city of Springfield with IDOT oversight and significant state investment, Jefferson and Madison streets were lowered to separate vehicle, bicycle and pedestrian traffic from railroad tracks. The underpasses have decreased noise and delays, reduced emissions and improved reliability for first responders. ​

“The City of Springfield is proud to partner with IDOT on the Springfield Rail Improvements Project, and we fully support and appreciate IDOT’s efforts to enhance Springfield’s transportation, quality of life, safety and economic prosperity for years to come, said Springfield Mayor Misty Buscher.

The recognition is the sixth time in the last eight contests that an Illinois project has been named a finalist, winning in 2018 for the Lake Shore Drive-Interstate 55 interchange in Chicago and again in 2019 for the joint effort with Missouri to improve mobility and access in the Metro East.

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