By: Diane Benjamin
Yesterday’s story was updated with a few things I found in the FOIA request: https://blnnews.com/2026/03/06/normal-doesnt-have-an-underpass-contractor/
Did you know Normal originally stated taxpayers were funding 9% of the project and now it’s 37%? Click the above story!
WGLT finally did their own underpass story. On Facebook it has over 100 comments, most want the Town to kill this project. Koos will never accept defeat unless he fears his citizens. The next Council meeting is March 17th. If the room isn’t packed in opposition he won’t care what is said online. Put up or shut up Normal.
The contract was awarded at the 11/3/2025 Council meeting. https://www.normalil.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/5414
PDF pages 132-133 are below. They show what was eliminated from the build to try to lower costs. If this project goes forward, not only will the cost be higher, this wish list will eventually be funded:
Since the only real NEED in this situation is to get AMTRAK passengers to the south side platform, a bridge should be built from the North side station to the the south side. North side already has the height and elevators, so about 1/3 of the project is already done. A bridge could start from the 1st or 2nd level of the parking deck.
I don’t think that the real need in this situation is to get people to the south platform.
In Koos’ mind the real need is to build his bicycle empire. To connect his bike shop and the trail neatly into the Uptown businesses north of the tracks. It’s to surround his shop with a larger customer base and build a Koos monument.
So an overpass is a non starter and if that’s the only solution to get this done, it will be dropped like a hot potato.
Yep. King Koos wants “HIS” underpass and thats that! Everyone else can just go suck on a lemon.