The intersection of Prairie Street and Wilson Street in Batavia, Illinois, is poised for significant improvements starting in late February 2024. This crucial project, managed by the Illinois Department of Transportation and the City of Batavia, aims to alleviate traffic congestion and enhance safety for drivers and pedestrians alike. Copenhaver Construction, based in Gilberts, Illinois, has been contracted to undertake the construction, with an anticipated completion date set for November 2024. The project is made possible through a combination of federal, state, and local funding.
Addressing Traffic Congestion on Prairie Street
The Prairie Street and Wilson Street intersection has long been a source of frustration for Batavia commuters and residents. During peak traffic hours, the intersection experiences substantial congestion, leading to significant delays and raising concerns about safety for both motorists and pedestrians. A thorough engineering study confirmed the need for intervention, recommending the installation of a traffic signal and capacity enhancements, specifically additional turn lanes, to improve traffic flow at this busy junction of Prairie Street.
Project Scope: A Comprehensive Upgrade to Prairie Street and Wilson Street
This ambitious project encompasses a wide range of improvements designed to modernize and optimize the Prairie Street and Wilson Street intersection. Key elements of the project include:
- Traffic Signal Installation: A new traffic signal will be installed to manage traffic flow more efficiently and safely.
- Pavement Widening and Resurfacing: The pavement within the project limits will be widened and reconstructed, ensuring a smoother and more durable road surface.
- New Left-Hand Turn Lanes: The addition of dedicated left-turn lanes will help to reduce congestion and improve traffic flow for vehicles turning at the intersection.
- Pedestrian Actuators: Pedestrian push buttons will be installed on each corner of the intersection, enhancing pedestrian safety and accessibility.
- Concrete Curb and Gutter: New concrete curb and gutter will be installed to improve drainage and the overall aesthetics of the intersection area.
- Sidewalk Replacements: Sidewalks along south Prairie Street and sections of Wilson Street within the project limits will be replaced, ensuring safer and more accessible pedestrian pathways.
- Traffic Signal Interconnection: The new traffic signal will be integrated into the existing traffic signal network along the Wilson Street corridor, extending to Route 25, for coordinated traffic management.
- Storm Sewer System Improvements: Upgrades to the storm sewer system will enhance drainage and manage stormwater runoff effectively.
- Water Main Replacement: The water main within the construction area will be completely replaced, improving the reliability of the water infrastructure.
A significant challenge of this project lies in accommodating the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) railway single track that intersects both Prairie and Wilson Streets. To integrate the proposed traffic signal system with the existing railway infrastructure, upgrades to railroad protective devices are necessary. This includes the installation of pre-signals on Prairie Street, south of the railway crossing, in conjunction with the new traffic signal. Furthermore, roadway gates and flashers will be installed in all quadrants of the crossings to enhance safety for both road and rail traffic.
During the construction period, traffic detours will be implemented, and motorists are strongly advised to adhere to the signposted detour routes. The City of Batavia recognizes the potential inconvenience during construction and appreciates the community’s patience and understanding as these essential improvements are made to Prairie Street and Wilson Street.
Project Background: Addressing Long-Term Infrastructure Needs on Prairie Street
The Prairie Street and Wilson Street intersection improvements are part of a broader initiative to upgrade the infrastructure along Prairie Street. This project originated from the overall Prairie Street Reconstruction project, which commenced in January 2017. Initial studies highlighted the deteriorating condition of Prairie Street’s pavement, necessitating a full reconstruction rather than a simple resurfacing.
Traffic signal warrants were assessed using both current and projected (2040) traffic volumes, in accordance with established traffic signal guidelines. The study results clearly indicated that a traffic signal was warranted at the Prairie Street and Wilson Street intersection to effectively manage both present and future traffic demands.
In early 2017, the City of Batavia initiated a preliminary engineering study for the Prairie Street reconstruction. The first phase of this project, Stage 1, focused on the section of Prairie Street from Pine Street to Wilson Street and was successfully completed in October 2020. In November 2019, the City of Batavia secured federal funding through the Kane-Kendall Council of Mayors (KKCOM) for Stage 2, the Prairie Street and Wilson Street Intersection Improvements Project.
Aerial view of the Prairie and Wilson Street intersection, highlighting the project location
Project Study Expansion and Funding Details
Early in the preliminary study phase, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) emphasized the necessity of including a comprehensive traffic analysis of the Prairie Street and Wilson Street intersection within the Prairie Street reconstruction project. This analysis confirmed the need for a traffic signal and capacity enhancements, leading to increased project complexity and costs due to required coordination with the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) and Burlington-Northern Santa Fe Railway regarding the railroad crossings.
Consequently, the project cost increased from approximately $2 million to over $3.5 million. Due to funding limitations, the project was divided into two stages. Stage 2 intersection improvements were deferred to allow the City time to secure additional funding sources.
In November 2019, the City received federal funds to support the Stage 2 intersection improvements. In April 2020, TranSystems was selected as a consultant to provide final design engineering services for the intersection project.
The City of Batavia has been granted over $1.5 million in STP funds (Federal Funds) to cover the construction and design engineering costs for the intersection improvements. The Federal STP award is structured with a 70% Federal and 30% Local match. Additionally, the City has been awarded approximately $1 million in Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) Grade Crossing Protection funds for the essential railroad safety devices. This funding is provided at a 95% ICC and 5% Local match, further demonstrating the collaborative funding approach to this important infrastructure project.
Project Timeline and Key Milestones
- Stage 1 & 2 Preliminary Engineering: Completed June 2019
- Stage 1 Design Engineering: Completed December 2019
- Stage 1 Construction: Completed October 2020
- Stage 2 Design Engineering: To be completed in March 2023
- Stage 2 Construction: July 2023 to December 2024 (Revised to February 2024 – November 2024 as per article start)
Stay Informed: Project Updates
For the latest updates on the Prairie Street and Wilson Street Intersection Improvement Project, please visit the official project webpage or subscribe to project update alerts at https://bataviail.gov/list.aspx. Under Newsflash, select “Prairie-Wilson Intersection Updates” to subscribe and receive timely notifications.
Project construction, detour, and staging maps (PDF) are also available for download, providing visual details about the project.
For further inquiries or detailed project plans, please contact the Batavia Public Works Department at 630-454-2750 or email Timothy Grimm, PE, at [email protected].
Past Project Updates:
June 2022: Coordination with the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) and Burlington-Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railway continued to finalize the design of railroad crossings and signals. Collaborative meetings between City staff, consultants, ICC, BNSF, and IDOT representatives aimed to align intersection design with railway crossing safety improvements. An ICC hearing was anticipated to provide the final determination for railway enhancements, paving the way for final plan preparation.
January 2023: The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) held a hearing on December 13, 2022, with representatives from the City and Burlington-Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railway present. Following the hearing, the ICC issued an order outlining the final design for proposed railroad improvements. TranSystems and the City subsequently focused on finalizing engineering plans for IDOT approval, with the project initially scheduled for June 2023 letting.
May 2023: The City submitted all necessary documentation to IDOT in preparation for the project’s inclusion in the June 16, 2023 letting. Following the letting, IDOT and the City planned to review bids and, pending bid approval, schedule a pre-construction meeting for late July or early August.
