Montgomery County board authorizes Libertyville Road resurfacing grant, sets Feb. 24 hearing to consider closing Palm Boulevard bridge

Montgomery County supervisors on Jan. 27 authorized the county chairs to sign a Department of Transportation grant for a Libertyville Road resurfacing project and voted to set a public hearing on Feb. 24 at 9 a.m. to consider closing Palm (referred to in discussion as Paul/Palm) Boulevard Bridge. The motions were moved, seconded and approved by voice vote.

The resurfacing grant was described by a county roads speaker as a project secured through Representative Miller's office; Supervisor Speaker 1 called for approval and the board agreed without extended debate. On the bridge, Speaker 3 said crews have tied the steel and were making progress on columns, and the board discussed using Paul Boulevard to Glasgow Road as an alternate route if the bridge is closed temporarily.

Why it matters: the resurfacing grant will fund a local road project and the bridge hearing will determine whether a public access change is warranted; closing the bridge would reroute local traffic and requires a formal public hearing and notice. The board set the hearing date after staff confirmed the scheduling and public-notice minimum (the board selected Feb. 24 at 9 a.m.).

Board procedure and next steps: the board authorized the chair(s) to sign the DOT grant agreement and directed staff to place the certified notice for the bridge public hearing on the agenda and to notify affected residents. The hearing will allow public comment before any formal action on closing the bridge.