The railroad tracks that cross the Constitution Trail in Uptown Normal have long caused the trail to make a long bend to go to the nearest railroad crossing and back to the trail. This was necessitated by the addition of high speed rail, and all the fencing involved. People are kept entirely off the tracks by fencing. This is almost as inconvenient as the removal of the old railroad tunnel beneath the interstate, which requires about a quarter mile jog just to get back to the trail alignment. This is inconvenient in some ways, but useful in others, and it provides a little extra distance for those seeking distance.
Normal’s town council approved the plan and funding for a large pedestrian and cycling underpass at the railroad station. That will provide direct access to the trail alignment. It will also reduce the need for long waits at the tracks. When this trail was developed, most of the traffic on this line, owned by the Illinois Central Railroad, was mostly the Amtrak trains with a few short goods trains and a few long haul trains. But since the upgrade to high speed rail and the ownership by the Union Pacific, this has changed.
Many more freight trains, especially double-stack container trains from a new yard near Chicago, have caused a great deal more traffic on this line. They move faster on the new heavy weight rail and concrete ties, but are also longer than trains of old. A tunnel will also make passenger access to both tracks easier, and make it easier to walk or cycle to the train. This project, largely funded by the state and federal government, will be helpful and beneficial to trail users and rail passengers alike.
This area has always been very supportive of rail travel, and passenger counts are very high at this station, as is the number of passenger trains to serve them. Ten trains daily, at the busiest Amtrak station in Illinois outside of Chicago. A holdover from the previous service provided by the Gulf, Mobile, and Ohio railroad, which was punctual, clean, and friendly right up until Amtrak’s takeover in 1971. It has been helpful that we have always had good rail service in the area. At some point I may have to make a trip to Chicago and take the bicycle along, just to see how that goes.
Cyclingeezer 