Work ready to begin on Winfield underpass

Following years of debate and delays, construction of a pedestrian underpass in downtown Winfield is expected to begin next month.

Village trustees on Thursday agreed to pay Herlihy Mid-Continent Co. roughly $3.4 million to build the underpass, which will run beneath the Union Pacific Railroad tracks, about 150 feet east of Winfield's Metra station. The work is expected to be completed by spring 2010.

"We went back and forth on this forever," said Trustee Jack Bajor, who has long supported the project. "It's a relief to have this finally accomplished."

Winfield leaders argued the merits of the underpass for years while some residents voiced opposition to the project.

Then last summer, residents who supported the project started attending meetings and distributing information trying to gain support. Some argued the underpass would provide a safe route for children who must cross the tracks to go to school.

Bajor said the latest obstacle was funding. There were several board members who didn't want village dollars spent on the work, he said.

But thanks to more than $3.9 million in grant money from various sources, including the state and federal government, Winfield won't need to borrow any money for the project.

To help ensure all expenses would be covered, Central DuPage Hospital recently contributed $50,000. Union Pacific also kicked in an additional $25,000 on top of the $815,000 it previously pledged.

Village President Deborah Birutis said she's grateful to everyone who contributed to the project, which will be key to development of downtown. She said pedestrians need a safe way to cross the tracks to reach businesses on both sides of the tracks.

According to plans, the 110-foot-long underpass will be handicapped accessible. It also will have security measures to deter any possible criminal activity.

Officials said construction won't disrupt train traffic.