COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING - TO BE HELD OCTOBER 20, 2026
The Village Board will be considering the project at the October 20 Committee of the Whole meeting. The purpose of the meeting is to present the preferred alternative and receive direction from the Village Board how to proceed with the project. At this meeting an update on the study will be presented by the Village’s engineering consultant for the project, public comments can be made, and the Village Board will direct staff whether to continue with the project or not. You are invited to attend and provide comments during the meeting.
Central Railroad Crossing Preferred Alternative
Central Railroad Crossing COW 102026 RIB
The meeting will be held on October 20th at 6pm in the Village Board Room on the 3rd floor at Village Hall, 50 S. Emerson Street, Mount Prospect, IL 60056.
Public Meeting June 2025
The purpose of the meeting was to present the purpose and need for the project, present design alternatives to address the project needs, share the project schedule, present traffic data, answer questions, and obtain public input to determine a preferred alternative. Click on the links below to view the Exhibit Boards presented at the meeting and the Public Meeting Summary describing comments received.
The next step is for the Village to use the comments received to help develop the proposed alternative.
Public Meeting Exhibit Boards
Public Meeting Summary
The Village Board will be considering the project at the October 20 Committee of the Whole meeting. The purpose of the meeting is to present the preferred alternative and receive direction from the Village Board how to proceed with the project. At this meeting an update on the study will be presented by the Village’s engineering consultant for the project, public comments can be made, and the Village Board will direct staff whether to continue with the project or not. You are invited to attend and provide comments during the meeting.
Central Railroad Crossing Preferred Alternative
Central Railroad Crossing COW 102026 RIB
The meeting will be held on October 20th at 6pm in the Village Board Room on the 3rd floor at Village Hall, 50 S. Emerson Street, Mount Prospect, IL 60056.
Public Meeting June 2025
The purpose of the meeting was to present the purpose and need for the project, present design alternatives to address the project needs, share the project schedule, present traffic data, answer questions, and obtain public input to determine a preferred alternative. Click on the links below to view the Exhibit Boards presented at the meeting and the Public Meeting Summary describing comments received.
The next step is for the Village to use the comments received to help develop the proposed alternative.
Public Meeting Exhibit Boards
Public Meeting Summary
The Village aims to address pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicular issues at the Central Road Railroad crossing and the intersections of Central Road with Northwest Highway (US 14) and Prospect Avenue. A Phase I Engineering Study is the first step in rebuilding this crossing and intersection. Tasks of the study include performing a detailed survey of the project area, gathering vehicle, pedestrian, and train data, seeking public input on existing issues, evaluating potential environmental impacts, and developing alternative preliminary designs. The goal of the study is to determine the preferred alternative, develop a preliminary construction cost estimate, and secure preliminary approval from the Illinois Department of Transportation and Union Pacific Railroad.
The primary objectives of the project are to improve pedestrian and bicycle facilities, enhance safety forvehicles crossing the railroad tracks and traveling through the intersection, improve truck turningmovements, address the blocked thru lane concerns on eastbound Central Road at the tracks, andenhance the aesthetics within the project area.
Due to the scope of work and stakeholders involved, this project will take several years to complete.
The primary objectives of the project are to improve pedestrian and bicycle facilities, enhance safety forvehicles crossing the railroad tracks and traveling through the intersection, improve truck turningmovements, address the blocked thru lane concerns on eastbound Central Road at the tracks, andenhance the aesthetics within the project area.
Due to the scope of work and stakeholders involved, this project will take several years to complete.
The Village has successful working partnerships and intergovernmental relationships to resolve troublesome intersections throughout town. One such location is the area surrounding the Central Road at-grade crossing of the Union Pacific Railroad. This includes the railroad crossing and the intersections of Central Road with Northwest Highway (US 14) and Prospect Avenue. Together, these intersections act as the western gateway to downtown Mount Prospect. Pedestrian and bicycle accommodations at these intersections are minimal and require long crossing distances. Vehicle delays are primarily due to the crossing being activated by trains. Still, the left turn movement from eastbound Central Road onto north westbound Northwest Highway (US 14) is particularly problematic due to limited storage for vehicles turning left. The Village of Mount Prospect is committed to developing and implementing a plan to significantly enhance the transportation system, benefiting pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, nearby businesses, and our residents.
While the Village has completed numerous studies in the past that reference this railroad crossing, none directly addressed the issues described above. Central Road and Northwest Highway (US 14) are under the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) jurisdiction. Prospect Avenue is under local jurisdiction. The traffic signals at Central Road and Prospect Avenue and Central Road and Northwest Highway (US 14) are owned and maintained by IDOT. The Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) owns and maintains the railroad crossing signals.
While the Village has completed numerous studies in the past that reference this railroad crossing, none directly addressed the issues described above. Central Road and Northwest Highway (US 14) are under the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) jurisdiction. Prospect Avenue is under local jurisdiction. The traffic signals at Central Road and Prospect Avenue and Central Road and Northwest Highway (US 14) are owned and maintained by IDOT. The Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) owns and maintains the railroad crossing signals.
Below is a tentative schedule and subject to change.
Phase I (Preliminary Engineering): June 2024 –2027
Phase II (Design Engineering) and Land Acquisition: 2027 - 2029
Construction: 2030-2031
The Village will be seeking grant funding for the project. The project schedule may be affected should the Village successfully secure grant funding and allocate it for a specific year(s).
Phase I (Preliminary Engineering): June 2024 –2027
Phase II (Design Engineering) and Land Acquisition: 2027 - 2029
Construction: 2030-2031
The Village will be seeking grant funding for the project. The project schedule may be affected should the Village successfully secure grant funding and allocate it for a specific year(s).
October 20, 2026 - Committee of the Whole Meeting to discuss preferred alternative
July 2026 - Village Awarded ITEP Funding for Phase II Engineering
June 2025 - Public Open House: June 5, 2025
September 2024 - Study begins
August 2024 – Village retains HDR, Inc. to provide Phase I Engineering services
February 2024 – Published Request for Proposal for Phase I Engineering
July 2026 - Village Awarded ITEP Funding for Phase II Engineering
June 2025 - Public Open House: June 5, 2025
September 2024 - Study begins
August 2024 – Village retains HDR, Inc. to provide Phase I Engineering services
February 2024 – Published Request for Proposal for Phase I Engineering