May 18, 2026 Summary

On May 18, 2026, Council heard a project update from Town staff.

Recent Project Milestones

• Nov. 2025: Project initially awarded to Millstone Weber, LLC
• Jan. 2026: Millstone Weber withdraws proposal from consideration
• Jan. 2026: Town begins negotiations with P.J. Hoerr, Inc.
• Feb. 2026: FRA clarifies BUILD grant funding deadline (Sept. 30, 2027)
• Mar. 2026: P.J. Hoerr submits updated draft proposal
• Apr. 2026: Union Pacific approves request for temporary shoring changes
• Apr. 2026: Final proposal received from P.J. Hoerr - $33,867,447

New Grant Funding

Staff shared news of additional $2.5 million in grant funding from the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), a Local Project Funding Grant (LPF) for transportation projects enhancing mobility and quality of life.

Updated Funding Model

Funding Source	Proposed Funding
Federal BUILD Funds	$16,157,375
Federal Section 130 for Final Design	$3,000,000
Illinois Commerce Commission Funds	$6,250,000
Town of Normal Local Share	$14,893,545
IDOT LPF Grant	$2,500,000

Next Steps

The following next steps where discussed:

• contract award consideration
• Lumen fiber optic relocation
• Planned construction start date: July 2026
• Date for BUILD grant funds expenditure: Sept. 30, 2027

Actions Taken

At the May 18 meeting, Council took several actions on the proposed construction of the Underpass Project at Uptown Station, including:

• Extending the date for the sale of bonds originally approved by the Normal Town Council in November 2025
• Executed a joint funding agreement with the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) for Phase III Construction Engineering Services of the effort
• Amended an agreement with Lumen Technologies, Inc. to relocate Telecommunication facilities
• Awarded a contract to P.J. Hoerr, Inc. for construction