The Commercial-News, Danville, IL

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May 9, 2009

Fairchild Subway engineering up for vote

BY JENNIFER BAILEY

DANVILLE — The city council¡¦s public works committee on Tuesday will consider approving a Phase I engineering contract as part of the Fairchild Subway replacement project.

City and Illinois Department of Transportation officials worked with consultant Alfred Benesch Co. of Chicago to arrive at 5,773 hours of work at a cost of $899,727.

Aldermen approved a $4.75 million bond issue partly for engineering to replace the subway and take Fairchild Street over the Norfolk Southern and CSX railroad tracks with an overpass.

Studies have confirmed the subway walls were not designed properly and had structurally failed, with pressure exceeding their theoretical capacity.

Replacement of the walls was recommended, but traffic projections also called for four traffic lanes in 20 years through the subway. URS Consultants of Decatur confirmed that the railroad tunnels couldn¡¦t be modified to four lanes of traffic, and substandard vertical clearance through the subway also exists.

The corridor study found that the most economical way, and with the least impacts, to improve the corridor is by replacing the subway.

¡§This is the initial engineering design phase,¡¨ Public Works Director Doug Ahrens said.

Ahrens said the Phase 1 engineering would identify the type of structure that would be constructed as an overpass, such as the width and number of lanes; in addition to environmental impacts to the homes, businesses (and those facing relocation) and adjoining streets; and construction phases and staging needed especially with its ¡§touchdown¡¨ point at Bowman Avenue.

The city is seeking funding through the Illinois Commerce Commission and federal funding for construction.

Also Tuesday, the committee will consider:

ƒÞ Approving an agreement for Espenshied Park off Voorhees Street to be used for FETCH (Family of Espenshied Totally Canine and Hounds) Park.

An adhoc group has met about the park. Attorney Darrel Jacobs and Dr. John Mason have been spearheading the effort to set aside 5 acres at the 65-acre park for the dog park.

The park is located at the end of North Kimball Street west of Bowman Avenue.

The city is supplying the space and labor assistance.

ƒÞ Approving the sale of the Central Vehicle Maintenance garage, 800 South St., to Glesco Electric.

ƒÞ Authorizing an environmental right of entry agreement for the South Street sewer improvement.

ƒÞ Appropriating $1.4 million in Motor Fuel Tax funds for the 2009 overlay program.

ƒÞ Authorizing auditing services with Clifton Gunderson and authorizing actuarial services with Timothy W. Sharpe.

COMING UP

The city council¡¦s Public Works Committee will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Robert E. Jones Municipal Building, 17 W. Main St.

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