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TO: Mayor John Laesch and City Council
FROM: Tim Weidner, P.E., Engineering Coordinator
DATE: December 11, 2025
SUBJECT:
A Resolution authorizing the City of Aurora to enter into a construction and maintenance agreement with BNSF Railway Company for improvements of the crossing of the new Edgelawn Drive bike path and the BNSF Railroad.
PURPOSE:
To enter into a construction and maintenance agreement with BNSF for the new Edgelawn Drive bike path crossing.
BACKGROUND:
This project received Local Rail-Highway Crossing Safety Program federal funds, 90% federal funding up to $631,682.
The project limit span is from the commercial driveway (south of the BNSF tracks) to the Virgil Gilman Trail (north of the BNSF tracks). The proposed improvements include constructing an 8' asphalt bike path on the east side of Edgelawn Drive, through the BNSF tracks. The bike path will connect to the Virgil Gilman Trial to the north and paved shoulder to the south at the commercial driveway using off and on-street bike path, pavement marking and signage. Other improvements include railroad track crossing material and railroad gate/flasher infrastructure and circuitry.
The City is continuing work with the selected design consultant, Baxter & Woodman, Inc. on final design plans under a previous City agreement. The plans are 99% complete and have been submitted to IDOT. The project is targeting a February 27, 2026 letting date.
DISCUSSION:
As part of this project, coordination has been ongoing with the BNSF Railway regarding the proposed bike path crossing along Edgelawn Drive.
This coordination has gone through the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) Petition process. The City and its consultants have worked to get this project moved through the process, and there is a current ICC Order posted.
Through various coordination efforts, BNSF will construct the new railroad crossing surface (roadway and proposed bike path) and signal equipment. The City will construct and maintain the remaining portions of the improvement. The BNSF work will be paid directly by the City utilizing MFT funds. These expenditures are eligible for federal reimbursement up to 90% of the total railroad cost. The City will have to pay BNSF and then seek reimbursement from IDOT. The total cost of this railroad work, including flaggers, is estimated at $300,000. The authorization of this expenditure of MFT Funds, the execution of the federal funding agreements, and the land acquisition purchase are being considered by City Council as separate legislative actions.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
Construction on this project is scheduled to begin in 2026. Edgelawn Drive will be temporarily closed for a portion of construction. This closure is anticipated to last up to 4 weeks.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Please forward to the Finance Committee for their review and recommendation.
cc: Finance Committee
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
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A Resolution authorizing the City of Aurora to enter into a construction and maintenance agreement with BNSF Railway Company for improvements of the crossing of the new Edgelawn Drive bike path and the BNSF Railroad.
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WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a population of more than 25,000 persons and is, therefore, a home rule unit under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, subject to said Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, the City of Aurora and BNSF Railway Company are interested in entering a Construction and Maintenance Agreement regarding the crossing of Edgelawn Drive at the BNSF Railroad; and
WHEREAS, it is in the best interests of the City of Aurora and its residents to complete the Construction and Maintenance Agreement of the property described above
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: that the Construction and Maintenance Agreement contemplated by this Resolution and in substantially the same form as attached to hereto as 'Exhibit 1' shall be and hereby is approved; and further
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Mayor and the Clerk respectively, shall be and hereby are directed to execute all the aforementioned documents on behalf of the City and any other documents required to carry the purposes of this resolution into execution, including, but not limited to the document entitled “Grade Crossing Construction and Maintenance Agreement” attached to this Resolution as 'Exhibit 1'.