Brush College Overpass Project

Introduction

Brush College Road is a north-south urban arterial located on the east side of Decatur in Macon County. The road runs from East Lake Shore Drive, just south of William Street (Illinois 105), and extends north to IL Route 48, just south of Interstate 72.

The full corridor improvement project focuses on a 1.21-mile section of Brush College Road, generally between William Street (Illinois Route 105) on the south and extending to the north of Faries Parkway on the north.

The first project, beginning in 2023, will address one of the major chokepoints in the industrial core of the region by constructing an overpass at a Norfolk Southern railroad crossing where trains block the Brush College Rd/Faries Parkway intersection over 18 hours per week. This first project includes several construction phases, with completion expected to be July 2026. Future desired improvements, such as fixing the narrow underpass on Brush College Road, are not part of this first project and will have to be addressed in future years.

 

bird's eye view of computer generated bridge overpass

 

computer generated vehicles wait at stoplight in front of computer generated bridge overpass

 

computer generated vehicles driving over an overpass

 

Stages of Construction

William Charles Construction is the general construction contractor. Project Milestones as defined by the contractor:

map showing color-coordinated stages of construction for brush college overpass project

  • Stage 1 (started in 2023) – anticipated completion Sep 2024
  • Stage 2 completion – Aug 2024
  • Stage 3 completion – June 2025
  • Stage 4 completion – Apr 2026
  • Stage 5 completion – July 2026

Target completion date of entire overpass project = July 23, 2026

 

Current construction status

Pre-Stages (on-going through Stages 1 & 2):

  • Brush College, Faries Pkwy intersection: Nov. 2023 – Sep. 2024
    • Temporary pavement installed
    • Install water main: Jan. 2 – July 11
      • Jack & Bore under CN track: Feb. 26 – Mar. 5
      • Jack & Bore under NS track: Mar. 25 – Apr. 3
    • Install storm sewer: Mar. 7 – Apr. 17
      • Jack & Bore under CN track: Mar. 7 – Mar. 13
      • Jack & Bore under NS track: Mar. 14 – Mar. 20

Stage 1:

  • E. Harrison Ave. (west leg): Oct. 23 – May 28, 2024
    • Clearing & grading complete
    • Install storm sewer: Dec. 7 – Feb. 5
    • Install pavement: Apr. 1 – May 28
  • E Harrison Ave. (east leg): Feb. 5 – May 31
    • Install storm sewer: Feb. 5 – Feb. 16
    • Install pavement: May 29 – May 31
  • Cemetery Access Road: Feb. 19 – May 31
    • Grading & Agg placement: Apr. 15 – Apr. 16
    • Install storm sewer: Feb. 19
    • Install pavement: Apr. 18
  • James Street: Oct. 9 – May 3, 2024
    • Clearing & grading complete
    • Install storm sewer: Mar. 4 – Mar. 8
    • Install pavement: May 2 – May 3
  • Jug Handle
    • Building foundation removal complete
    • Grading is ongoing
  • Brush College Road (south portion): Mar. 4 – Sep. 9, 2024
    • Wall & pavement removal: Mar. 6 – July 26
    • Construct retaining wall: Mar. 6 – Aug. 13
    • Install storm sewer: July 15 – July 26
    • Install pavement: July 29 – Sep. 9

 

Traffic Implications & Road/Lane Closures

 

1. Maintenance of traffic on Faries Parkway and at the intersection of Brush College Rd. and Faries Parkway continues.

2. Lane CLOSURE – Faries Parkway & Brush College Road – east and west lanes of Faries Parkway and Brush College Road near the intersection will be reduced – Thursday, April 25 through Friday, May 31, 2024

3. Road CLOSED – Brush College Road – south of Faries Parkway, Hickory Street to Faries Parkway – beginning the end of Feb. 26 thru end of October 2024

3. Lane REDUCTION – Brush College Road – north of Faries Parkway, at Harrison Ave, will be reduced to one northbound lane & one southbound lane in the eastern lanes – beginning Feb. 26 thru end of October 2024