LaSalle County highway board approves federal funding agreements, awards seal‑coat and vehicle contracts

LaSalle County highway officials on an unspecified date voted to approve several joint‑funding agreements for resurfacing and safety work, award multiple seal‑coat and equipment contracts, and appropriate county bridge funds.

The board approved joint‑funding agreements that will put federal Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) and Surface Transportation (STR) funds toward resurfacing and shoulder work on several county roads. County staff said HSIP awards on individual projects range from about $640,000 to $876,000, with local matching or supplemental county funds for each project. The board unanimously carried the motions to enter the agreements and place the projects on the state letting schedule.

Why it matters: The agreements use state letting and federal dollars to reduce the county’s out‑of‑pocket construction costs for resurfacing and safety shoulder installations on county highways. Several projects were described as being on a March state letting; staff said the state will manage contractor payments and invoice LaSalle County for the county’s share.

Most important actions and figures

- Joint funding agreements (resolutions 25‑07, 25‑08, 25‑09): HSIP and STR funds were allocated to resurfacing projects on county routes including sections of County Highway 4 (described as the “Morse Blacktop”) and Canal Road (County Highway 501). Staff reported HSIP amounts of about $640,000 and STR funds of about $720,000 on one project; another project listed HSIP at about $876,000 with a local match of $1,200,000. Motions to approve the resolutions passed.

- Bridge and culvert appropriations (resolution 25‑10): The board approved county bridge fund appropriations including $255,000 for a culvert on County Highway 19, $200,000 for culverts on County Highway 57 and $1,100,000 for a bridge on County…