Committee OKs phase‑1 engineering supplement, MFT appropriation for New York Street Corridor

The Aurora Finance Committee voted 4-0 on Oct. 10 to authorize a phase‑one preliminary engineering supplement with WBK Engineering LLC and to appropriate $60,000 of Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) funds for the New York Street Corridor project.

Alex Nugent of the city’s engineering division described the work as a phase‑1 engineering design study for New York Street from Commons Drive to Fox Valley Entrance No. 6 (the intersection before Route 59). He said the corridor work will add dual left‑turn lanes, modernize traffic signals and provide bicycle and pedestrian accommodations.

Nugent said the project is funded through the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP), a federal program delivered as a 90/10 federal‑local split; the city had previously secured $1,600,000 in HSIP funds and the consultant requires a supplemental scope to finish phase 1 after additional IDOT requirements.

On schedule questions, staff told the committee they expect to complete phase 1 and submit to IDOT with a letting near the end of 2025 and construction in 2026. Staff also said most work will be completed under daytime lane closures, with only limited overnight closures possible.

A motion to approve the resolution (24-0751) was made, seconded and approved on a 4-0 vote.

The resolution authorizes the city to execute the engineering supplement with WBK Engineering LLC (not to exceed $56,075) and appropriates $60,000 of MFT funds to support the project’s engineering phase.

The committee advanced the project to the next steps in the financing and design process.