CHAMPAIGN: Budzinski Announces $240,000 for Grade Separation at Bradley Avenue

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) announced that the City of Champaign will receive a $240,000 federal grant to plan a grade separation project for the Bradley Avenue at-grade rail crossing. This funding will help eliminate the risk of collisions between trains and roadway users and prevent traffic delays at the Bradley Avenue crossing.

“Accidents at grade crossings, like the one on Bradley Avenue, are a leading cause of rail-related deaths in the United States. With this grade separation project, we have the chance to save lives from a potential tragedy in our community,” said Congresswoman Budzinski. “Beyond improving safety, separating Bradley Avenue from the rail crossing will prevent traffic blockages that delay folks on their daily commute and first responders racing to an emergency. I’m excited to announce $240,000 in federal funding to help Champaign plan this critical project and build a safer community for all.”

“This federal grant will allow the City of Champaign to study and develop safer alternatives to the current railroad crossing that is traveled by 12,500 vehicles each day. Approximately 20 Amtrak and freight trains also cross Bradley Avenue daily, which leads to frequent and frustrating delays for motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians,” said Champaign Mayor Deborah Frank Feinen. “I want to thank State Representative Carol Ammons whose advocacy on behalf of those impacted by this crossing brought this issue back to the forefront of City priorities.  We know that preventing unpredictable delays and ensuring first responders can more quickly respond to emergencies across northern Champaign is of great importance and will improve residents’ quality of life. I am also grateful to Congresswoman Budzinski for her support and assistance in obtaining this federal grant funding.”  

“For more than two decades, I have advocated along with many in the African American community for a remedy to this traffic burden. It impacts those who live and worship in the area as well as those who utilize Bradley Avenue as a route to and from work,” said Illinois State Representative Carol Ammons. “I thank Champaign Mayor Deb Feinen for hearing the concerns of our shared constituency and acting on those concerns. I also want to thank Congresswoman Budzinski for her role in securing the federal funds necessary to make this area of Champaign more accessible for all.” 

This investment is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) Railroad Crossing Elimination Grant Program which provides funding to study and improve highway-rail crossings nationwide. Each year, more than 2,000 incidents and 200 fatalities occur at grade crossings and these accidents are the second-leading cause of rail-related deaths in the United States. Slow moving or stalled trains at grade crossings can also lead to delays and blockages for commuters, first responders, postal workers, and other roadway users.

In 2025, Budzinski has delivered more than $10.2 million in federal infrastructure funding for Champaign-Urbana, including a highly competitive RAISE grant to improve safety on Florida Avenue. 

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