Deal opens door to Winfield underpass

Winfield trustees got their first look Thursday at a license agreement with Union Pacific that would help pave the way for a pedestrian underpass near the village's Metra train station.

The agreement, which trustees are expected to vote on at their Dec. 20 meeting, would give the village permission to tunnel underneath the railroad giant's tracks near Winfield and Jewell roads.

Union Pacific would not charge the village any fees for the project. In exchange, the village would agree to take over responsibility for police enforcement and graffiti removal at the proposed tunnel and hold Union Pacific free from any liability concerning the project.

Union Pacific "realizes this project has a great benefit for the public safety of its passengers," Village Manager William Barlow said.

Last month, the village board approved the purchase of the Winfield Place Salon to make room for the underpass, as well as provide space for a future parking garage in the town center.

The $3.1 million pedestrian underpass has often been associated with Winfield's long-sought town center revitalization plan.

Past officials have argued the project was needed to ensure the safety of schoolchildren crossing the tracks to Winfield Primary and Central schools, as well as the elementary school run by St. John the Baptist Catholic Church.

Barlow said that thanks to state and federal grants, the village is expected to pay only about $100,000 of the project's total cost.