April, 23, 2025 -The Illinois Commerce Commission has approved its Crossing Safety Improvement Program for fiscal years 2026 to 2030, dedicating over $400 million to enhance safety at more than 900 highway-rail crossings throughout the state.
The improvements will be funded through the Grade Crossing Protection Fund and Rebuild Illinois, helping local communities cover the costs of major upgrades. The plan includes 26 highway bridge projects, eight pedestrian safety efforts, 358 warning device upgrades, and 571 low-cost enhancements at 963 total crossing locations.
“Illinois’ rail system is made up of more than 10,000 public crossings. The ICC’s Crossing Safety Improvement Plan is an essential tool for improving our state’s rail infrastructure and reducing the risk of collisions,” said Michael T. Carrigan, Commissioner of the Illinois Commerce Commission.
Proposed work includes upgraded lighting, gates, and automatic warning devices, as well as construction and reconstruction of grade separations and pedestrian gate installations.
“Track tragedies are preventable tragedies. Knowing how to make safe decisions around train tracks can be lifesaving information. In an emergency, always get off the tracks, then look for the blue and white sign,” said Aisha Jackson, Rail Safety Specialist at the Illinois Commerce Commission.
Preliminary data from the Federal Railroad Administration reports 80 collisions at public crossings in Illinois in 2024, a decrease from 89 in 2023.
Project priorities are determined by factors including current safety conditions, previous collision history, traffic volumes, engineering feasibility, and location. The ICC’s approach includes “The Three E’s” of rail safety: Education, Enforcement, and Engineering.
The full list of projects and an interactive map can be found on the ICC website.
