Wheaton seeks input on proposed crossing closure

Wheaton residents are being asked to share their views about a Union Pacific Railroad plan to close a rail crossing and install a pedestrian underpass south of Wheaton College's campus.

Union Pacific is seeking to make the changes so it could construct crossover tracks at the existing Chase Street crossing in an effort to improve the flow of freight and passenger traffic through DuPage County. Crossovers allow trains to move from one of set of tracks to another.

According to the city, railroad officials say there are no crossovers on the west line between West Chicago and Elmhurst. In addition to the Wheaton location, Union Pacific is considering installing another crossover in the Lombard area, officials said.

But the crossover tracks in Wheaton can't be built unless the city council agrees to the closure of the Chase Street crossing and vacates the road's right of way.

Before council members make those decisions, they want to hear from the public during their April 19 meeting at city hall, 303 W. Wesley St. Residents also can e-mail council members through the city's Web site at wheaton.il.us/.

If the Chase crossing is closed, Union Pacific says it will build a $3 million pedestrian tunnel in the area so college students and other residents can continue to have access to both sides of the tracks.

Union Pacific is planning to seek roughly $1.8 million from the Illinois Commerce Commission to help pay for the underpass. The rest of the cost would be paid by Union Pacific and Metra. The city wouldn't have to contribute any money.

After Monday night's city council meeting, Mayor Michael Gresk said he's looking forward to hearing what residents have to say about the proposal. In the meantime, he said he supports the pedestrian tunnel idea.

"I think it's a great addition to the service that Union Pacific provides for us," Gresk said. "It's a wonderful safety upgrade."

Union Pacific already has rejected a suggestion that a vehicular underpass be built at Chase Street. But if the pedestrian tunnel is approved, work on that project could start in the fall and take about two years to complete.