Peoria County approves preliminary engineering for Willenell's Road bridge, approves Union Pacific review agreement

Jeff, a Peoria County staff member, described structural and wear issues on the Willenell's Road bridge that prompted preliminary engineering work. He said slope walls beneath the bridge have been undermined and collapsed, expansion joints are deteriorating and could affect bearings, and parapet walls are in poor condition. "We wanna design, repair for the slope walls and the expansion joints and, the replacement of the parapet walls. And then we'd also probably like to paint the bridge," Jeff said. He added the remainder of the bridge is in fairly good shape.

The committee approved a preliminary engineering agreement with Hanson Professional Services for $136,176 to design repairs that would address slope walls, expansion joints and parapet walls; the cost will come from the county bridge fund, Jeff said. The committee also approved a separate agreement with Union Pacific Railroad for plan review and oversight at a fee not to exceed $25,000 so the railroad can confirm designs will not affect their facilities or operations.

Both measures were considered as part of the committee's resolution package and were approved by voice vote with no nays recorded in the transcript. No construction contract was approved at this meeting; staff said additional design and future bid planning will follow the preliminary engineering and railroad review.