Council approves sidewalk expansion despite park district objections

Public hearing highlights success of $899,000 sewer lining project

Local railway eyes renewable energy transloading facility

City explores $2 million relocation of rail switch for traffic safety

Historic 'Big Boy' locomotive to make whistle stop in Rochelle

New downtown pocket park readies for ribbon cutting

City orders new ambulance three years in advance

Council approves sidewalk expansion despite park district objections

ROCHELLE, Ill. — The city council unanimously approved a contract of more than $550,000 for the 2026 sidewalk capital improvement program, which includes a highly debated alternate bid for a pathway along Illinois Route 251. The alternate path, running from near Lakeview Drive to Cleveland Avenue, prompted recent discussions with Flagg-Rochelle Community Park District officials regarding the construction of a shared-use path on Fairways Golf Course property. However, city engineer Sam Tesreau stated the majority of the path can be constructed within the Illinois Department of Transportation right of way without relying on the golf course. Council members emphasized the urgent safety need for the pathway, citing instances of pedestrians and bicyclists traveling dangerously close to high-speed highway traffic on the shoulder.

Public hearing highlights success of $899,000 sewer lining project

ROCHELLE, Ill. — The city council held a public hearing Tuesday to close out a Community Development Block Grant used to fund sanitary sewer improvements in the city's southeast target area. The $899,029 project, funded primarily by a $701,243 state grant and $197,786 in local matching funds, successfully lined more than 14,600 lineal feet of aging sanitary sewers and raised 37 manholes. Officials noted the project has effectively eliminated major sewer backups and the need for bypass pumping during heavy rain events, with one recent severe storm requiring the use of only one bypass pump compared to the 10 previously needed.

Local railway eyes renewable energy transloading facility

ROCHELLE, Ill. — The Burlington Junction Railway is actively working to attract a battery energy storage transloading facility to support solar farms in Wisconsin, according to President and CEO Peter Hoth, who presented an update to the city council. The presentation highlighted Rochelle's strategic position to capture bypass freight traffic away from congested Chicago markets. The city-owned railroad currently handles about 5,000 cars annually, and officials noted that proposed mergers among Class 1 railroads could further increase Rochelle's prominence as a transcontinental rail hub.

City explores $2 million relocation of rail switch for traffic safety

ROCHELLE, Ill. — Following a recently completed crossing safety study, the city is exploring options to relocate a major rail switch away from public at-grade roadways to improve traffic flow and reduce liability. City engineer Sam Tesreau told the council that the proposed relocation would move the switch connecting the BNSF Railway to the city-owned railroad further down the line adjacent to Stewart Road. Because a new switch installation costs upwards of $2 million, Tesreau noted that the city would need to secure a financial partnership with BNSF to move the project forward.

Historic 'Big Boy' locomotive to make whistle stop in Rochelle

ROCHELLE, Ill. — Union Pacific's famed "Big Boy" steam locomotive No. 4014 is expected to make a brief whistle stop at the Rochelle Railroad Park on Tuesday, June 2, from 3 to 3:15 p.m., city officials announced. Residents are encouraged to visit the park to see the historic engine but are urged to exercise extreme caution due to the anticipated large crowds. Spectators are asked to stay off the railroad tracks and obey all safety perimeters to ensure public safety during the locomotive's brief stopover.

New downtown pocket park readies for ribbon cutting

ROCHELLE, Ill. — A newly transformed "pocket park" on Fourth Avenue will officially open to the public following a ribbon-cutting ceremony scheduled for Wednesday, May 27, at 12:30 p.m. City officials announced the opening during Tuesday's city council meeting, praising the dramatic transformation of the site, which formerly housed a small commercial building. The park is the latest project in the city's ongoing revitalization efforts aimed at improving walkability and public spaces in the downtown corridor.

City orders new ambulance three years in advance

ROCHELLE, Ill. — Facing unprecedented supply chain delays in the heavy vehicle manufacturing sector, the city council approved the $355,787 purchase of a new Horton ambulance from Foster Coach Sales Inc., anticipating a 36-month lead time for delivery. Fire department officials noted that an ambulance ordered three years ago is only just arriving this October. To combat inflation and keep costs down, the department opted for a gas engine instead of a diesel, making the new vehicle less expensive than the city's 2023 order. The new ambulance is slated to eventually replace a heavily used 2012 model that already has 66,000 miles logged in front-line service.

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