Pingree Grove board approves environmental site investigation, land-acquisition work for Reinking–Damish roundabout
Loading...
Summary
The Village Board approved a professional services agreement with Fairgram and Associates for a preliminary site investigation (PSI), environmental assessment and land-acquisition survey work for the Reinking and Damish Road roundabout, in an amount not to exceed $92,003.75.
The Village of Pingree Grove board voted on Oct. 6 to approve a professional services agreement with Fairgram and Associates to perform preliminary site investigation (PSI) work, an environmental assessment of a storage-yard property and land acquisition survey work for the Reinking and Damish Road roundabout project. The contract amount was stated in the motion as not to exceed $92,003.75.
Village staff told the board the PSI is required by the Illinois Department of Transportation because the project is federally funded and two properties near the roundabout—the railroad right-of-way and an adjacent storage yard—were identified in phase 1 engineering as potential recognized environmental conditions. The PSI will include soil sampling and testing and will produce documentation that IDOT requires showing whether hazardous materials are present and how any discovered materials would be managed during construction.
Staff said the proposal also covers coordination with IDOT and expanded land-acquisition survey work after project plans increased the number of parcels that may require permanent or temporary easements. The number of parcels requiring survey work grew from an initial three to 14 during the design and IDOT review process.
During discussion, a board member asked whether the village would bear cleanup costs if hazardous materials are found. Village staff replied that cleanup costs would likely fall to the village in many cases, especially where rights and protections around railroad property limit the village’s ability to recover costs, though staff said they would pursue recovery from other parties or state funding if a significant contamination event were discovered. Staff noted that a thorough PSI and a full environmental assessment give the village better liability protection and help demonstrate eligibility for cleanup assistance if needed.
The board approved the motion by roll call. The agenda description indicated the work is intended to align the PSI and appraisal work so offers to property owners can be made early next year.
