Village Board approves joint funding agreement, $4.27 million local share for next phase of Wolf's Crossing

The Village Board of Oswego on Sept. 2 approved a joint funding agreement and the appropriation of $4,271,541 as the village's local share for the next phase of Wolf's Crossing at Douglas Road.

The funding package covers an estimated construction cost of $14,855,000 for the phase. "Of that amount, 10,583,459 will be covered by federal surface transportation funds, leaving a local share of $4,271,541," Kurt, public works staff, told the board, and staff said the project was out for bid and scheduled for the Sept. 19 Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) letting.

The vote came after board members asked for details about the project limits, traffic impacts and coordination with a concurrent water main project. Mayor Kauffman said, "We're getting 71% of this next phase funded by federal dollars. That's incredible." Trustee questions clarified that the contract letting is Sept. 19, that IDOT typically takes about 60 days for contract execution, and that work would likely begin after the start of the new year though an earlier start is possible if weather allows.

According to staff, the phase extends on Douglas Road from the taper back to the radius return on the north end, past Piper Glen on the west to Cardinal on the east, and will tie into the new Starling Circle on the south end. The board asked whether Wolf's Crossing would remain open during construction; staff said the road should remain open while new lanes are built and traffic will be shifted as needed. Staff also said the separate water main project (described as extending from Fifth to Della along Wolf's Crossing) is larger in scope and may begin sooner; both projects could be active simultaneously and intermittent short closures are possible.

Staff described the expected schedule: the Sept. 19 letting, approximately 60 days for IDOT contract execution, a preconstruction meeting and then mobilization, with a likely start after the new year unless unusually warm weather accelerates the timeline. Board members asked staff to provide public notice because the segment serves a shopping district and commuters.

Motion and vote: A motion to approve the joint funding agreement and appropriate the local share was made and seconded; the board recorded affirmative roll-call votes from Trustee Hughes, Trustee Novey, Trustee Torres, Trustee Koenig, Trustee Cooper and Trustee McCarthy Lang. The motion carried and the item was approved.