Freeport to pursue IDOT surface transportation funds for multiple street mill‑and‑overlay projects

Public Works Director Darren outlined a proposal to pursue IDOT Surface Transportation Program (STU) funding for a package of mill‑and‑overlay projects and ADA ramp work on several arterial corridors. The proposal identified Walnut Avenue (Empire to South), the remaining segment of Adams Avenue, Lincoln Boulevard (West Avenue to Locust) and Stevenson Street (to the Park project boundary) as candidate streets for a federally funded program.

Darren told the council he had asked IDOT to contribute about $2.5 million for the program; the agenda listed $2 million as an initial estimate. He warned that federal STU projects require a federal environmental survey report (ESR) that typically takes nine months and that design and construction engineering generally run about 7–8 percent of project cost. “On these type of mill and overlay projects, you could probably expect 7 to 8% for engineering costs to get it permitted and approved,” he said.

Council members asked about the cost to the city and whether the program would add to the five‑year streets plan. Darren said the construction costs would largely be covered by the STU funds for mill‑and‑overlay scope but the city would be responsible for engineering and the federal permitting process; engineering on a $2.5 million program could be in the roughly $175,000–$200,000 range at the 7–8 percent estimate. The council voted to move forward with pursuing the STU funding and directed staff to return with required agreements to start the federal process.