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Board approves Phase 1 engineering agreement for La Grange Road safety study; questions raised about scope and cost
Summary
The La Grange Park board approved a letter agreement for Phase 1 engineering of La Grange Road traffic safety improvements with Kimley Horn; staff said Cook County will reimburse up to $175,000, trustees asked about timeline, IDOT approval and contract terms.
The Village of La Grange Park approved a letter agreement on Jan. 28 with Kimley Horn and Associates Inc. to complete Phase 1 preliminary engineering for traffic safety improvements on La Grange Road. The board voted unanimously to authorize the agreement after questions from trustees about scope, timing and the village’s path to obtain IDOT approvals.
Staff told the board the village secured a $175,000 Invest in Cook County grant to help fund preliminary engineering. The letter agreement presented in packet materials proposes a lump-sum fee; the packet text identifies a $331,000 lump-sum proposal from the consultant, while a later staff comment in the meeting referred to the Phase 1 cost “coming in at $371,000,” creating a discrepancy recorded in the transcript that staff said they would clarify in follow-up materials to trustees.
Village staff described Phase 1 as required to pursue any geometric changes or signaling on the IDOT-controlled La Grange Road corridor: Kimley Horn’s work will include studies and alternatives analysis, advocacy with IDOT for the village’s preferred option and preparation of a project development report (PDR) that IDOT would need to consider for later design and construction phases. Staff estimated design engineering and construction phases could follow in 2026 and 2028 respectively, with additional grant funding sought for construction.
Trustees pressed for contractual protections and the ability to terminate if the project becomes unworkable; staff and the village attorney said standard engineering agreements allow termination and payment for work completed to the termination date. Trustees also discussed the village’s prior engagements with IDOT and the need for Kimley Horn to secure IDOT’s acceptance of a defined project.
The motion approved a resolution authorizing the phase 1 letter agreement and appropriation of TIF district funds to pay for preliminary engineering services, with the Invest Cook County grant to reimburse up to $175,000 of project cost. The motion passed unanimously.
