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Council reviews $6 million-plus 2026 road program, names streets for reconstruction
Summary
City Manager Boyer presented a proposed 2026 street improvement program that allocates roughly $3.3 million from the street improvement fund to the annual road program and a total of just over $6 million in street-related expenditures, naming specific projects and estimated costs.
Freeport City Manager Boyer told the City Council that the 2026 road program is budgeted from the Street Improvement Fund and includes more than $3.3 million for the city's 2026 road program and a total of just over $6 million in street-related expenditures.
The program matters because it combines local sales- and utility-tax revenues, motor-fuel-related funds and debt service to repair or replace water mains, reconstruct streets and address stormwater problems on several corridors that the city has prioritized.
"So the 26 road program, we have budgeted based off the list that we made a couple years ago," City Manager Boyer said, describing the compilation of projects. He said some projects include water-main work that increases total costs.
Major projects and rough cost estimates presented by staff include: Dewey Street (Walnut to Locust) about $675,000; two Gladewood sections about $135,000; Pershing Street (Chicago to Carroll) about $365,000 (noting Pershing is paired with South Carroll to address a stormwater issue); the municipal parking lot and an alley behind the police facility (about $1,000,000); South Demeter Drive/Empire-La Cresta/Hillcrest water-and-street reconstruction about $1,200,000; Benton Avenue (Winslow to Wyandotte) about $1,300,000; Stewart Avenue (Stevenson to Winter) about $469,000; Concord Drive about $500,000; Seminole Drive about $122,000; and Carroll Avenue (Empire to South Street) about $525,000. Boyer said the list was compiled from prior council direction and earlier project lists.
Council members asked for supporting materials and a written list of the named streets. Manager Boyer said staff had finalized the list the prior week and would distribute it to alderpersons.
Funding sources for the program as presented include the 1% sales tax designated for street improvements (the Street Improvement Fund), roughly $3.7 million in projected revenue for 2026, plus $220,000 from electric tax, $155,000 from natural gas tax, $252,000 from a road improvement fee passed through the water bill, interest income and transfers for debt service. Boyer said $500,000 was allocated for engineering, $30,000 for rock/road material, $30,000 for paint/markings and the $3.3 million road program allocation. He also noted bond debt service paid from the fund.
Council members and staff discussed specific repair needs: Seminole Drive requires complete surface replacement because of base sinking and manholes raised about 4 inches; Pershing was included to resolve stormwater that affects Carroll; some projects include water-main replacement, which raises cost.
No formal votes on the program were recorded during the discussion; the presentation moved into other departmental budgets after the street program summary. Staff said they would provide the cost breakdowns and the street list to alderpersons and that some projects include work funded through water or other capital budgets.
Looking ahead, Boyer said some 2026 projects will require cash flow up-front while grants and reimbursements (where applicable) come later, and that engineering and permitting needs are part of the budgeted amounts.
Documents and a street-by-street list will be circulated to council members for follow-up.
