Grant could alleviate Route 23 traffic congestion in Ottawa at rail crossings

The Ottawa Port District has landed a $9,770,750 grant to relocate the switchyard located between Route 23 and Champlain Street.

This action could alleviate traffic congestion at Columbus and La Salle (Route 23) streets — where there’s been a history of stopped or slow trains causing traffic jams.

Mayor Dan Aussem provided an internal memo from the city of Ottawa that said this award came largely because of having an Illinois Department of Transportation funded rail study already completed recently.

“We’ve been hearing complaints about the congestion on Columbus Street and La Salle Street for quite some time,” Aussem said. “Hopefully this is the solution to that problem.”

Ottawa has to cover $514,250, or 5% of the grant to go toward the project, which solves a problem the Ottawa Port District has been dealing with for many years.

The new location for the switchyard is not yet known.