Committee approves engineering work to study East Minooka Road–O'Brien intersection improvements

Grundy County Highway staff asked the Highway & Transit Committee to recommend moving forward with an engineering services agreement to study and redesign the East Minooka Road and O'Brien intersection.

Committee members were told the intersection is tight for large vehicles: "Fire trucks, school buses, when they are making that turn, they are totally encroaching on the other lane," a staff presenter said. The engineering agreement under consideration totaled $44,000 and staff said the amount is in the department budget.

Staff described a proposed work area of about 500 feet on each side of the intersection and up to 500 feet along O'Brien for drainage and turning-movement improvements. The presenter said the project team plans to pursue TAR(P) grant funding for construction; staff estimated the finished project could be in the neighborhood of $250,000 and said about $30,000 in TAR(P) funds could be used toward construction, with grant programs only partially covering costs. The committee approved the motion to proceed with engineering by voice vote.

Staff said the engineering phase will include grant solicitation work and coordination with local jurisdictions and will return to the committee with a recommended construction plan and funding approach. The committee also discussed timing: engineers and staff will seek awards in the current cycle and, if unsuccessful, pursue an additional transit-only round later in the year.

Ending: With the motion carried, staff will proceed with the engineering contract, begin grant solicitations, and report back when engineering is complete and construction funding is identified.