Will County will invest more than $504 million in county roads over the next five years under a five-year transportation plan unanimously approved Thursday by the County Board.
Items include about $215.5 million worth of corridor improvements, $86 million for intersections, $58 million in bridge work and $50.6 million in general maintenance.
The plan, updated on a yearly basis, includes more than 20 miles of improved highways and reconstructs more than 30 intersections.
County Transportation Director Jeff Ronaldson said officials look at need, traffic projections and safety concerns as well as ways to improve traffic flow and reduce accidents.
In 2017, the board adopted the Will Connects 2040 Long Range Transportation Plan, which expects continued residential, commercial, distribution and industrial growth. The 2040 plan shows the county’s projected population could nearly double and top 1.2 million people. The plan also projects another 235,000 jobs would be added.
The county has already seen an increase of freight-related transportation since 2000, with communities such as Romeoville and Bolingbrook increasing their warehouse and industrial space by more than 80%, county documents show.
The county receives federal, state and local funds for the projects. The county anticipates receiving about $504.5 million during the next five years and will continue to pursue federal matching funds, documents said.
Board member Joe VanDuyne, chair of the Public Works and Transportation Committee, said the board approved a 4-cent per gallon gas tax in 2019 that went into effect Feb. 1, 2020.
The tax generates $16 million to $19 million per year, which is then spent on road and bridge improvements, said VanDuyne, a Wilmington Democrat.
About 65% of truck traffic that passes through Will County did not start or will not end within the county’s borders, making the tax an opportunity to invest in infrastructure improvements from out-of-state or out-of-county drivers, VanDuyne said. With the added revenue, the county can bump up a project on its timeline, which then saves money on labor and material, he said.
One new project on the five-year plan is reconstructing Francis Road from Gougar Road to Interstate 80 near Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox, Ronaldson said.
The Illinois Department of Transportation plans to replace the Francis Road bridge over I-80 in 2025 or 2026, and the county’s work would take place at the same time, he said. The county would also evaluate Silver Cross Boulevard, one of the access roads to the hospital, to see if it needs to be improved, he said.
Another initiative includes helping municipalities offset the cost of bike paths and sidewalks where construction projects are happening, VanDuyne said.
As part of this program, approved Thursday, the county will replace existing bike and pedestrian paths near its reconstruction projects, and it will split the costs with a municipality to develop any bike and pedestrian paths in those areas.
Among the major corridor improvements is continued work on Bell Road from 159th to 131st streets in Homer Glen. The corridor stretches more than three miles and will be widened to two through lanes in each direction.
The corridor has been split into five separate projects with work from 159th to 151st streets in progress and improvements from 151st to 143rd streets anticipated to begin in 2024.
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Work along Laraway Road in the New Lenox and Frankfort area from U.S. Route 52 to Harlem Avenue is also expected over the next five years. The major east-west connector has been split into separate projects that include additional through lanes, traffic signals and intersection improvements.
East of Harlem Avenue, Laraway Road becomes Sauk Trail and is the responsibility of Cook County.
Residents can view an interactive construction map at www.willcountyillinois.com.
The county also plans to update its long-range transportation plan that looks at residential and business growth and determine the needs over 25 years.
Advocacy center
The board also voted Thursday to approve an agreement with Wight and Company for architectural and engineering services for the Will County Children’s Advocacy Center’s new building at 1206 Cedarwood Drive, Crest Hill.
The county purchased the TLC Learning Center to move the advocacy center from its 7,000-square-foot facility in downtown Joliet to a 27,000-square-foot former day care center in Crest Hill.
The center serves children who are victims of sexual or physical abuse, exploitation, neglect or violence. A variety of professionals, including police, prosecutors, advocates from children protection services and therapists work together to get the child the help they need and to prosecute the offender.
While the day care center was built for use by children, interior modifications need to be made, county officials said. The center will also expand its services to address elder abuse.
The county approved $500,000 toward renovation work based on the architect’s initial estimate, but it could cost up to $750,000, said Mike Theodore, spokesman for the county executive’s office.
The county has $4 million in federal pandemic funds, which were used to buy the $3.4 million building and property, and leaves about $580,000 for renovations. The advocacy center is also applying for grants which would offset those federal pandemic grant funds, Theodore said.
The center is expected to move in the fall, and the county is still assessing space needs to determine which department can use the existing advocacy center building in Joliet, Theodore said.
Michelle Mullins is a freelance reporter.