Freeport expects about $5 million from IDOT to mill-and-overlay South Street; city must complete ramps before resurfacing

City Manager Boyer told the City Council the city is planning a memorandum of understanding with the Illinois Department of Transportation that would bring outside funding to repair a deteriorated South Street corridor.

Manager Boyer said, “We're planning to receive approximately $5,000,000 from District 2 for the mill and overlay of South Street.” He told council that the bid letting will start in June and that work is expected to start in 2026, though he said the project could slip into 2027 if scheduling delays occur.

Why it matters: South Street is described as a main corridor through town in significantly deteriorated condition; receiving IDOT funds for milling and overlay would shift resurfacing costs off local operating budgets but requires the city to complete ramp reconstruction so IDOT can proceed.

Boyer said the MOU includes a requirement that curb ramps in the corridor be reconstructed and that the city has budgeted for that work; council will see related contracts and construction approvals before June so the ramp work can be completed in time. When asked whether the ramps would be done by city staff, Boyer said contractors will perform the ramp work.

Council members asked how long the project would take; Boyer declined to promise a definitive timetable but said he hoped completion in 2026, and that 2027 was the fallback if the schedule slipped. No formal vote on the MOU was recorded during the meeting.

Manager Boyer acknowledged many quarters of coordination with IDOT District 2 and noted that conversations with Representative Cabello and local IDOT contacts helped secure the funding arrangement. Council members expressed appreciation for the work and asked staff to proceed with the procurement and contract approvals necessary to meet IDOT’s schedule.