CUMTD continues Illinois Terminal Expansion Project
University students board a CUMTD bus next to Florida Avenue Residence Hall on April, 11. Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District continues their expansion project at Illinois Terminal.
June 4, 2021
Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District is progressing its proposed Illinois Terminal Expansion Project, hoping to reduce bus congestion, improve reliability, create a safer pedestrian environment and enhance regional connectivity.
On Tuesday, the Federal Transit Administration and MTD published an Environmental Assessment for the project as part of the federal environmental review process. EA analyzes MTD’s proposal to construct additional bus platforms and a connected mixed-use facility, which will provide additional leasable tenant and retail space, apartments and a parking deck. The existing Illinois Terminal building will also be renovated to expand waiting areas and passenger amenities and create green space.
MTD received a $17.275 million federal grant in 2019 from the FTA’s Bus and Bus Facilities Grant program to complete the improvements to the Illinois Terminal. The project is part of a Joint Development initiative with Core Champaign Hockey LLC, which will contribute funding for the residential spaces in the mixed-use expansion and parking deck. Construction is anticipated to begin in 2022 and will take place north of Logan Street.
“In the midst of the many challenges our community is facing, we are grateful that the federal funding for the Illinois Terminal Expansion is secure and that plans for this public-private partnership have continued to progress, ” said Karl Gnadt, MTD’s CEO and managing director, in a press release. “The project partners are excited to begin the public outreach stage and move this transformative project forward.”
The public is invited to visit an online presentation, review the EA and submit comments on the project. The EA and online presentation are available for review at ITETheYards.com through July 1. Hard copies of the EA and presentation are also available at the following locations: Illinois Terminal Customer Service Desk, 45 E. University Avenue, Champaign, Illinois 61820; and Champaign Public Library, 200 W. Green St., Champaign, Illinois 61820.
