McHenry County approves Harvard engineering agreement for corridor study, will seek federal grants for construction

McHenry County's Finance & Audit Committee approved an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with the City of Harvard to fund phase 1 and phase 2 engineering for pedestrian and bicycle accommodations along County Airport Road and McGuire Road.

The committee approved the IGA after discussion about which jurisdiction would lead engineering and how construction would be funded. Scott, a county staff member overseeing county transportation coordination, told the committee the city of Harvard would hire and manage the consultant engineer for the study while county staff would review the deliverables for conformance with county goals. "This is not a city project. This is a county project they're running for us," Scott said.

Staff estimated construction costs at roughly $3 million and said the project is being structured to pursue federal or state grant funding for construction, which could cover up to 80% of costs; the county and the city would likely share any remaining local match. The IGA covers only engineering (design and environmental/rights-of-way studies), not construction.

Several members said they supported the project but raised the optics of spending RTA sales-tax dollars to support improvements that benefit a municipality and questioned whether the county should take the lead on engineering if it is paying the majority of early costs. Scott said the county does have engineering staff but has significant competing priorities and that allowing Harvard to manage consultant engineering would reduce county staff management burdens.

The committee voted to approve the IGA by roll call recorded in the minutes. Voting (where recorded) showed a majority in favor with Terry and Eric recorded as "no." Staff said the study would determine whether the improvement is a separate bike path, multiuse path or sidewalks and that engineering and permitting could take three to five years; construction would likely follow after the county pursues grant funding.

What the committee decided - Action: Approved the intergovernmental agreement with the City of Harvard for phase 1/2 engineering on the County Airport/McGuire corridor (item 7-17). - Motion: Motion carried (mover: Larry; seconder: John). - Vote record (recorded in discussion): Yes — Brian (Bridal), John, Carolyn, Larry and the chair; No — Terry and Eric. Motion carries.

Why it matters The agreement begins a years-long planning process for pedestrian and bicycle facilities on a county road that currently lacks sidewalks and bike accommodations. If engineering leads to a project that secures federal or state grants, the county could see construction in roughly three to five years at an estimated cost of $3 million; federal grants could reduce the county's construction obligation but may still require a local match.

What remains unresolved Phase 1 will define the preferred improvement and identify right-of-way and environmental constraints. Construction funding and maintenance agreements (the city indicated it would maintain the finished facility) will be determined later if the project is advanced to construction and a grant application is successful.

Speakers quoted (selected) - Scott, county staff: "This is not a city project. This is a county project they're running for us."

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