Will County panel approves several road and signal contracts, extends Cherry Hill speed zone; hears $27 million federal award for Gallagher Road grade separatio

Will County Transportation Committee on Jan. 21 approved a series of contracts and intergovernmental agreements to modernize traffic signals, install reflective pavement markings and adjust speed limits, and heard an informational update that the county received a $27 million federal award for the Gallagher Road grade separation project.

The approvals included a countywide contract for reflective pavement markings, a $1,609,999 contract for traffic-signal modernization on Weber Road, and an intergovernmental agreement with the Village of Plainfield for maintenance and energy costs at the Renwick Road/Boulevard Place signal. Committee members also voted to rescind a prior resolution and authorize execution of a METRA agreement to pay engineering costs for at-grade railroad crossing improvements on Gauger Road, approved establishing an extended speed zone on Cherry Hill Road, and authorized membership in the Illinois Public Works Mutual Aid Network.

Why it matters: the items approved advance several safety and modernization projects that county staff said will reduce response time to signal problems, add countywide pavement visibility treatments, and help secure funding and agreements needed to move large highway and rail-safety projects toward construction.

Most important actions and discussion

- Reflective pavement markings and signal modernization: Jeff, director of transportation, described the Weber Road signal modernization as moving much of the monitoring and control to the DOT office so staff can identify and fix problems faster with fewer field crews. On the $1,609,999 contract to Vanmark Electric Company for traffic-signal modernization on Weber Road (County Highway 808 from Lilycache to Root Street), Jeff said the work will let staff “manipulate everything all…