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SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) – A long-discussed railroad corridor in Springfield is one step closer to becoming a reality. City officials and community members gathered to contribute to a feasibility study. Some residents said the corridor has been a thorn in the side of many people in the Eastside community.
“The 19th Street corridor has been a bone of contention in the Black community for decades,” said resident Ken Page.
Relief — that’s what dozens of people say they feel now that a feasibility study is being conducted. From annoying traffic to train noise, residents on the East Side say they’ve tolerated it long enough.
“On Sunday morning. On Thursday evening. It interferes with our intercom system. We hear all these strange sounds coming through because of the feedback and the interference with the vibration from the trains crossing our tracks,” said resident Teresa Haley.
Now, city officials are taking action. This feasibility study is the first step in turning a pain into a bigger purpose. Sen. Doris Turner said the corridor redevelopment will connect communities on all sides of the tracks.
“People will be able to do, like, biking and walking and, you know, jogging trails, those kinds of things. And it will really connect us,” Turner said.
The study welcomes residents’ input and offers three options, including an underpass or overpass.
“The last option is for trails to remove the two trains completely off the tracks and make a trail out of it. And I think that would be a great option for the community because that was promised to the community decades ago,” said Page.
Many residents agree — removing the tracks may be the best option for convenience and growth in the community.
“They’re doing everything in Springfield on the West Side, but they constantly forget about the East Side. And the East Side continues to be the dumping ground here in Springfield,” said Haley.
The study cost the city $100,000. The study results are expected in December.