Sangamon Sun

WASHINGTON, D.C. — On June 27, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski and Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth announced that the Village of Savoy, Illinois will receive more than $22.6 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation for the Curtis Road Grade Separation and Complete Streets Project. The funding was awarded through the Department’s highly competitive Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant program aimed at helping communities carry out infrastructure projects with significant local or regional impact. 

“The best thing we can do to revitalize rural communities is make transformational infrastructure investments that create good-paying union jobs and pave the way for economic development,” said Congresswoman Budzinski. “I couldn’t be more thrilled to announce that the Village of Savoy will be receiving more than $22.6 million in federal investment for the Curtis Road Grade Separation and Complete Streets Project. Advocating for this funding has been one of my top priorities since taking office, and I’m proud to help this project receive additional federal support as it moves closer to completion.” 

“The new railroad grade separation and road improvements will enhance safety and efficiency in Savoy,” said Senator Dick Durbin. “Investments like this federal RAISE grant foster greater accessibility and connectivity, which will have lasting, positive impacts on the community and all who pass through it.”

“Transportation is more than getting from one place to the next—it’s trains shipping essential products from town to town, it’s commuting from work to your child’s dance recital and it’s biking to your local farmer’s market,” said Senator Duckworth (D-Il), who helped secure $2,000,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending for elements of this project. “I’m proud to have supported this project for years, and now with help from this funding, the Savoy community will see improved rail, traffic lanes and bike paths that’ll help them safely get where they need to be.”

“The Village is very excited about this successful grant application. On behalf of the Village, I would like to thank our staff and our federal legislators. With their hard work, and through their passionate advocacy, the Village’s long-held dream of the Curtis Road Grade Separation and Complete Streets Project is becoming reality. This is a huge win, not only for the Village but for our entire community,”said Savoy Village President John Brown. 

“This is a transformational investment in the Village’s infrastructure and in its future. This success is made possible by the tireless work of our staff and with the support of our residents and our community partners. I would like to personally thank Congresswoman Budzinski, Senator Duckworth, and Senator Durbin for their genuine, passionate, and unyielding support for this project, and for making this happen,” said Savoy Village Administrator Christopher Walton.

Once complete, the Curtis Road Grade Separation and Complete Streets Project will represent the culmination of 30 years of partnerships designed to construct a 1-mile-long, 5-lane, multimodal facility with a grade separation. The project includes the construction of a railroad grade separation and nearly one mile of roadway improvements at the intersection of Curtis Road and US Route 45 in the Village of Savoy, Illinois. As part of the area’s long-term plan and strategic vision, this keystone project will improve safety, provide economic benefit and protect the environment.

The RAISE grant program is supported by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. RAISE projects are rigorously reviewed and evaluated on safety, environmental sustainability, quality of life, mobility and community connectivity, economic competitiveness and opportunity including tourism, state of good repair, partnership and collaboration and innovation. 

Original source can be found here.