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Council awards $1.28 million for Washington Street phase‑1 engineering and utility upgrades
Summary
The city selected Patrick Engineering to prepare a Phase 1 project development report and utility upgrade work for Washington Street from Green Bay Road to Bridal for $1,279,793; committee members said beginning the study now is essential to seek federal and state construction funds.
Waukegan approved a professional services contract on April 21 to fund Phase 1 engineering and utility upgrades for the Washington Street corridor, a planning step intended to make the project eligible for state and federal construction funding.
The Public Works and Infrastructure Committee selected Patrick Engineering (doing business as Rena Consulting) as the lowest responsible bidder for a not‑to‑exceed $1,279,793 contract to complete the Phase 1 planning, data collection, alternatives analysis, stakeholder coordination and the project development report (PDR) that Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) reviewers expect prior to approving federal/state funding for design and construction.
Committee members and the city’s project team stressed the work is preparatory. “This is the planning, engineering and environmental work that goes into designing what the future road will look like,” Jared Cybulski of Patrick Engineering said. He told the committee the Phase 1 process and IDOT approvals typically take about 24 months; that schedule then allows the city to pursue Phase 2 (final design) and Phase 3 (construction) funding.
Jesus Garland, the city’s engineering director, said the Phase 1 report is required to compete effectively for Lake County Council of Mayors and other grant programs and to be “shovel ready” for federal dollars. Garland and Cybulski also confirmed the scope includes utility coordination and lead service‑line work where applicable.
The committee approved the contract by roll call vote during the Public Works meeting. Members voiced support for starting the planning work promptly so the city can pursue grant rounds and IDOT approvals that can take many months.
Votes at a glance
- Award to Patrick Engineering (Rena Consulting), Phase 1 engineering and utility upgrades for Washington Street corridor — approved by committee (roll call: Aldermen Florian, Martinez, Bowden, Newsom, Donnerworth recorded as “Aye”; motion passed at committee).
