The Woodside / Iron Bridge Road Grade Separation Project is a multi-phase infrastructure improvement effort focused on significantly enhancing safety and mobility in southern Sangamon County. Located in County Board District 13, the project targets two high-risk at-grade railroad crossings on Woodside Road and Iron Bridge Road, which have long posed traffic safety concerns due to frequent train delays and the risk of vehicle-train collisions.
The current configuration forces vehicles, including school buses, emergency responders, and commuters, to cross directly over active Union Pacific railroad tracks. As freight train traffic has increased in recent years—both in volume and frequency—so too has the potential for accidents and long delays. These challenges create bottlenecks, pose hazards to public safety, and impact the reliability of emergency response times in the surrounding neighborhoods.
To address these issues, Sangamon County, in partnership with state and federal stakeholders, is constructing a comprehensive grade separation system:
-
Woodside Road will be lowered beneath the railroad tracks via a newly constructed underpass.
-
Iron Bridge Road will be elevated to form an overpass that safely crosses the railroad line.
-
A new bridge will be built to carry Union Pacific freight trains over the improved roadways.
-
A frontage road system will be installed to preserve access for local traffic and residential properties, ensuring neighborhood connectivity remains intact throughout and after construction.
-
The Interurban Trail, a heavily used pedestrian and cycling corridor, will remain accessible during construction via temporary detours and will ultimately be reconnected with improved safety measures.
The project is being constructed by Freesen (UCM, Inc.) and is funded through a combination of local, state, and federal sources. The estimated cost of the project is approximately $53.3 million, making it one of the most significant public infrastructure investments in Sangamon County in recent years.
Construction officially began in Spring 2025 and is expected to continue through late 2028. The work will be executed in carefully staged phases to minimize disruptions to local residents and businesses while maintaining access wherever possible. Regular traffic advisories, detour maps, and public notices will be shared throughout the project to ensure residents remain informed.
Once complete, the grade separation project will not only reduce the risk of future accidents and delays but will also pave the way for future development in the area by improving overall traffic capacity and reliability. This initiative reflects Sangamon County’s commitment to forward-thinking infrastructure planning that balances safety, efficiency, and long-term growth.