Champaign City Council seeks federal grant for Kirby Avenue overpass improvement

The City of Champaign voted unanimously this week to apply for a federal grant to address the Kirby Avenue overpass.

By Elizabeth Hess August 22, 2024 1:53 pm

Chambana TodayCanvaProKirby Avenue overpass construction plans have forward movement

CHAMPAIGN, IL (Chambana Today) – The City of Champaign voted unanimously to apply for a federal grant to address the Kirby Avenue overpass.

Following years of safety concerns, the Kirby Bridge project is seeing movement at the city and now state level. The Champaign City Council voted 9-0 to approve a resolution to apply for a federal grant through the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT).

The Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program could award Champaign up to $3 million for the Kirby Avenue Complete Streets Project. The city will need to turn in the grant application before September 30th.

Whether or not the city gets the grant, the project will go out to bid next year. The Champaign City Council plans to begin construction in 2026. The overpass will see sidewalks added to both sides of the street and bicycle improvements.