In 2022, WisDOT and UPRR explained that due to federal money being used to reconstruction W. Beloit Road, the railroad signal equipment must be upgraded to current standards as part of the project according to federal code. Due to the aging railroad signal equipment and closely spaced crossings from W. Lincoln Avenue to W. Beloit Road, the City had two options:
Install new signal equipment at S. 55th Street to provide separation from W. Beloit Road signal equipment.
Close S. 55th Street railroad crossing.
The City analyzed the railroad crossings for possible consideration, estimated costs, and evaluated options. WisDOT recommended closing the crossing at 55th Street to
Reduce design and coordination time (better likelihood of keeping most of the construction on schedule in 2023 to utilize the federal funding.
Improve safety by eliminating conflict points along the railroad.
Allow UPRR to pay for removal of items within four feet of the track.
According to the Federal Highway Administration, roadway rail crossings should be considered for closure and physical removal when one or more of the following apply:
Average Annual Daily Traffic less than 1,000.
Acceptable alternate access across the rail line exists within one mile measured along the track.
The median trip length normally made over the subject crossing would not increase by more than 2.5 miles.
55th Street meets all three of the crossing removal criteria.
In 2023, the City held a public hearing on the closing as required and approved the closing.
Starting April 15, WisDOT will reconstruct the 300-foot section at the Beloit Road railroad crossing and permanently remove the 55th Street crossing. The new Beloit Road signal equipment cannot accommodate the closely spaced crossings found at Beloit Road, 60th Street, 57th Street, and 55th Street.
Due to this, 55th Street will no longer go through the railroad crossing starting in May 2025. Moving forward, cars must turn on Mobile Street to cross at 57th Street, Electric Avenue, Beloit Road or 60th Street.