Freeport announces nearly $2.4 million sidewalk award from IDOT, IDOT to repave South Street

Freeport public works officials told the council the city was awarded nearly $2.4 million from the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) through a HISP grant to build sidewalks along key corridors, and city staff described a separate IDOT agreement to repave South Street with the city responsible only for ADA ramp work.

“Last week we were awarded 2 point almost $2,400,000,” the Public Works Director said, describing the HISP award and explaining the project would provide sidewalk connectivity from the Cub Foods area to Walmart and from the Culver’s area to Aldi’s. The director said the grant requires some local match: the city will pay for design work and a $300,000 local match toward construction.

The director said IDOT agreed to repave South Street from Locust to Galena, which the director estimated as a roughly $4.5 million project that will cost the city nothing; the city’s responsibility will be designing and constructing ADA ramps in the corridor, with a stated completion target for the ramps by June 30 of next year. The director also said IDOT plans a large Galena Avenue resurfacing that may take two seasons and noted West Street was moved into IDOT’s five-year plan.

City staff characterized the sidewalk HISP project as likely a multi-year effort because of federal requirements and environmental/engineering reviews: “Usually takes a year to do an ESR to be able to construct them,” the Public Works Director said, and added the HISP sidewalks would likely be a two-year project to finish.

Council members praised the street crews and staff for securing state funding. One alderman noted the scale of the upcoming street program and tied it to local work produced by a prior 1% sales tax decision.

Ending

Staff said some components (ADA ramps) are targeted for completion in mid-2026, while larger resurfacing projects will be scheduled by IDOT and may extend into subsequent construction seasons.