Join us at the Crawfordsville Crossing Project Open House
Wednesday, August 12 at 6 p.m. at Fusion 54 (101 W Main Street)
About the Project
The Crawfordsville Crossing: Railway Crossing Elimination Project is a collaborative effort between the City of Crawfordsville, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), and HWC Engineering to develop plans that will eliminate the at-grade railroad crossing on Market Street in Crawfordsville and revitalize the corridor. Currently, two state roads and a U.S. highway converge at the Market Street rail crossing, creating safety risks and disrupted traffic flow for residents and visitors.
This project will reimagine this intersection by improving both vehicular and pedestrian safety and connectivity, while enhancing the appearance of this corridor with updated lighting, landscaping, and hardscaping design.
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Proposed Timeline
MILESTONE 01
2024
Completed Phase:
Planning and Preliminary Design Grant Application Preparation and Award
MILESTONE 02
2026
Current Phase:
Planning Report, Preliminary Engineering, and NEPA Documentation
MILESTONE 03
June 2026
Grant Applications Due for Final Design, R/W Acquisition and Construction
MILESTONE 04
Fall 2026
Estimated Grant Award Announcement for Final Design, R/W Acquisition, and Construction
MILESTONE 05
Spring 2027
Preliminary Engineering and NEPA Documentation
MILESTONE 06
Fall 2027
Future Phase
(if grant awarded):
Final Design, R/W, and Property Purchase Negotiations
MILESTONE 07
2029– 2031
Future Phase
(if grant awarded):
Construction
Project Updates
View press releases, presentation boards, and other updates to the Crawfordsville Crossing Railway Crossing Elimination Project
Project Overview
The Crawfordsville Crossing: Railway Crossing Elimination Project aims to improve safety, mobility, emergency response, and economic opportunities for Crawfordsville residents by eliminating the existing at-grade railroad crossing on Market Street. HWC Engineering has been contracted to do engineering and design for the project while complying with Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) development guidance and funding requirements. Project elements include, but are not limited to:
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) document preparation, review, and approval;
Public engagement;
Topographical surveying of existing site conditions, including existing utilities, buildings, ground contours, and right-of-way;
Preliminary engineering and design;
Transportation Management Plan;
Landscape architecture design, including trees and plantings, pedestrian amenities, and improved public spaces and aesthetics;
Coordination with all impacted utilities;
Coordination with CSX Railroad to review plans for proposed improvements.
Public Outreach
Residents of Crawfordsville are encouraged to stay informed as planning for the project progresses. Updates will be shared regularly on this website and on the City of Crawfordsville’s social media channels.
In addition, the public will have multiple opportunities to review progress and provide input in-person, including three open houses and a public hearing.
OPEN HOUSE #1
Project introduction and preliminary design
April 14, 2026
6-7 p.m.
Crawfordsville Career Academy
OPEN HOUSE #2
Design progress update: Urban design elements and NEPA-related* requirements
June 3, 2026
6-7 p.m.
Crawfordsville Career Academy
OPEN HOUSE #3
Design progress update
August 12, 2026
6-7 p.m.
Fusion 54
EA Document Review
Environmental Assessment (EA) document available for public review
October 2026
NEPA Public Hearing
Public review of environmental documentation
Early November 2026
NEPA Public Comment Period
Written comments accepted
November - December 2026
* National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
Exact dates, times, and locations will be shared as they become available.
Design
Work progresses on bridge, roadway, and streetscape designs. Some initial designs were shared at a recent public open house. View the presentation boards and find more at Project Updates.
Rendering of a potential plaza near a pedestrian tunnel.
Contact Us
If you have any thoughts or questions about the Crawfordsville Crossing: Railway Crossing Elimination Project that you would like to share with the project team, please fill out the form below and we will respond as soon as possible.
FAQs
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The goal of the project is to develop a plan to improve safety and mobility by addressing the adverse effects of the current at-grade crossing at Market Street. By designing the separation of rail traffic from vehicular and pedestrian traffic, the project will outline a strategy to significantly reduce the potential for train, vehicle, and pedestrian conflicts while simultaneously providing unobstructed east-west access, reducing delays in emergency response times.
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As the sole grantee of the Crawfordsville Crossing: Railway Crossing Elimination Project, the City of Crawfordsville will lead and oversee project development. The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) will serve as an oversight partner and will be responsible for reviewing and approving the project design. The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) is also expected to provide oversight, particularly as it relates to impacts on state highways.
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The project is in the environmental study and design phase. Project planning is complete and identified a roadway overpass as the preferred alternative for the project.
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Three “build” alternatives and one “no build” alternative will be analyzed.
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The project is early in the environmental process, and environmental resources—including public spaces and historic properties—are being evaluated. Impacts and proposed mitigation for those properties will be an important part of the environmental document.
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HWC Engineering is the lead engineering firm overseeing the preparation of the environmental document and design.
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The environmental study process is ongoing. The environmental document is expected to be published in September 2026, with a public hearing in October 2026. The team hopes to finalize the environmental document by Spring 2027.
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Design will not be finalized until the environmental process is complete. Impacts to specific properties could be identified in Fall of 2026.
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Construction—which is expected to last approximately 1.5 to 2 years—could begin as early as 2029.
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The total project costs are currently estimated at $44.5 million, which includes planning, design, right-of-way, utility relocation, construction, and construction inspection.
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Funding for preliminary design and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) document approval is secured. Funding for final design and construction is not yet secured and is dependent on the project being selected in a future FRA grant opportunity.
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The total design funding is $1.6 million. The FRA awarded the City $1.12 million through a 70%/30% matching grant. As a result, the City is responsible for the remaining $480,000 to cover the preliminary design and environmental study efforts. If the project is selected for funding in a future grant application submittal, final design and construction would be funded in a similar fashion, with FRA funding an anticipated 80% and the remaining 20% coming from local funding. The City is currently exploring options for partners to assist in the 20% local match.
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If a “build” alternative is selected, this project may affect property owners and land may need to be acquired before construction can begin. Because an alternative has not yet been selected, specific property impacts have not been identified.
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If a “build” alternative is selected, yes, it is expected that traffic from the surrounding at-grade railroad crossings will choose the Market Street crossing during train events to avoid delays.
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If a “build” alternative is selected, travel times are expected to decrease due to the elimination of the at-grade railroad crossing.
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Yes, emergency responders are a major stakeholder and will be engaged throughout the project.
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Removal of the at-grade intersection will provide emergency services with a route that has a “known” travel time that cannot be impacted by stopped trains on the tracks. As with any roadway, motorists will be expected to pull over/stagger to allow passage for emergency vehicles.
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Yes, all project information is available at CrawfordsvilleCrossing.com
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Public involvement will occur throughout the environmental process, including public open houses – where the public can comment on the current design status – and a public hearing prior to approval of the environmental document.
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Yes, a public hearing is tentatively scheduled for November 2026.
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Public involvement is a critical part of the environmental and design process. The public can submit comments at the various public open houses offered or through the project website.