The McLean County Land Use & Transportation Committee on Dec. 2 approved a series of infrastructure and procurement items, including road reconstruction funding, bridge engineering agreements, equipment purchases and a motor fuel tax appropriation. All motions were approved unanimously during the meeting.

Jerry Stokes (county staff) described the largest item, a roughly $5,000,000 reconstruction of Hudson West Road (CH-12) covering about two miles. Stokes said a $2,000,000 resolution had been approved in 2023 and the current resolutions would allocate about $2.6 million from the motor fuel tax and $600,000 from the bridge fund to cover the remaining work and drainage items; he said bids were out and results would be brought back next month. The committee approved the motor-fuel and bridge-fund resolutions to proceed.

The committee approved a highway fund resolution to mill-and-resurface West Street and School Street in the city of Leroy (a 2026 project) and advanced an agreement to use engineering services with Farnsworth Group to design work for Stark Bridge (Stringtown Road, CH-23). Staff said inspections showed delamination and exposed rebar; design work is planned now with a construction target around 2028. The committee also approved an engineering services agreement with Chastain and Associates (Decatur) for Maple Syrup Bridge (CH-36), where staff cited prior blowouts and concrete delamination. During discussion, staff described their selection process for consultants as a qualified-based selection (QBS) or RFP depending on funding and prior relationships.

The committee approved a resolution to purchase two tandem dump trucks from CIT Trucks through a Sourcewell contract; staff said Kenworth came in lowest and the trucks are expected by the second quarter of 2026. Older vehicles will likely be auctioned. Members also approved a motor fuel tax resolution that appropriates funds for the county engineer's salary, noting part of that salary would be covered by federal Surface Transportation (STR) funds.

Staff presented several project updates as well: the Route 66 reconstruction in McLean County is nearly complete aside from painting and signage, a Route 66 bike/trail portion work is complete pending finish work next year, and snow removal crews worked extended hours over the weekend.

Votes at a glance: all listed resolutions and agreements before the committee on Dec. 2 were approved unanimously; specific contract awards and bid results will be returned to the committee when available.