The city of Dixon was approved for a grant worth over $25 million from the federal Department of Transportation to construct a new “complete street” grade-separated railroad overcrossing at Parkway Boulevard.

The Parkway Boulevard Overcrossing Project will provide a vital safety connection over a passenger and freight rail corridor, ensuring safer access to Dixon High School, John Knight Middle School and the Historic Dixon Fairgrounds.

Over 40 trains per day travel through the corridor at speeds nearly 80 miles per hour, making this project crucial to the safety of those in Dixon. As the city itself is expected to welcome over 1,000 new families by 2026, the new Parkway Boulevard crossing will reduce safety risks for those traveling across the city.

The new crossing will also improve emergency response times, facilitate the development of new housing to help address the area’s housing crisis and encourage more active transportation with new bicycle and pedestrian crossings, according to a statement provided by Congressman Mike Thompson (D-Yolo).

The new grade-separated east-west connection at Parkway Boulevard will allow for the closure of the existing crossing at Pitt School Road, which is ranked in the Top Three mileposts with the Highest Rate of Incidents in the Capitol Corridor’s Martinez Subdivision.

“By elevating the roadway over the train tracks, we can reconnect the eastern and western portions of the city, provide a safer route for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists and improve access to local schools and planned housing developments,” stated Thompson.

Thompson cited the work of Dixon Mayor Steve Bird and Dixon City Manager Jim Lindley as a part of the successful bid to secure money for the proposed project.

In his public statement, Bird recalled some of the obstacles the town had to overcome to get to this point. However, in order to ensure a safe route to school for the high school, improve public safety and reduce response times for emergency vehicles, Bird said the project is needed now more than ever.

“We’re thrilled residents will have this new avenue to get to the other side of town safely. This project has been a long time coming,” Bird stated. “Now, thanks to all the hard work by Congressman Thompson, STA staff, and our Dixon City staff, we have the funding we need to move forward with building the Park Boulevard Overpass. The people of Dixon are the real winners here.”

Lindley emphasized this grant is a representative of something more than a moment of success; it signifies a future dedicated to the safety of the Dixon community.

“The Parkway Boulevard Overcrossing will improve roadway safety, provide quicker access to first responders, and a safer route to school for many children in Dixon,” the city manager briefed. “This grant represents a monumental opportunity for Dixon to enhance safety and connectivity within our community.”