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Deerfield trustees concur with IDOT on Hazel Avenue reconstruction; project totals about $10.2 million
Summary
The Village Board voted to concur with IDOT's award for reconstruction of Hazel Avenue (Wilmot to Waukegan), accepting a low bid amid higher-than-estimated prices; the project is roughly $10.2 million with $4.7 million in federal STP funds and a village funding gap to be addressed through reserves or budget adjustments.
The Village of Deerfield Board of Trustees on Dec. 2 concurred with the Illinois Department of Transportation(IDOT) award to the apparent low bidder for the Hazel Avenue reconstruction project, a full rebuild that staff estimates at about $10.2 million.
Bob Parker, a village staff member who presented the project history and scope, said the work will replace roughly a mile of water main, upgrade storm drainage capacity, widen sidewalks to six feet and reconstruct the roadway. "It's a pretty big project, so and big dollar amounts," Parker said, noting the corridorwas built in segments from the 1930s through the 1980s and requires full reconstruction rather than resurfacing.
Bids opened in October; staff recommended ALAMPP Concrete Contractors as the apparent low bidder. Parker told trustees that material and labor costs are the primary drivers of the higher bid results and that many line itemsconcrete, asphalt, water-main pipe and fuelare substantially higher than in past projects.
The village has been awarded $4.7 million in federal Surface Transportation Program (STP) funds for the project and plans to apply about $1.3 million in Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) funds; Parker said the higher bid leaves a local shortfall the village will address. "If we don't do the work and we decide to turn it back, we don't accept the federal money," Parker said, arguing the village would likely have to pay more later if it declined the award and lost federal funding.
Trustees asked about construction timing and impacts. Parker said underground work is planned to start in February, weather permitting, and that the contractor has been advised to minimize impacts at key community locations such as the park district pool and Jewett Park. "There's no guarantee that we aren't gonna have any impacts to those locations, but the contractor knows and they're ready to work with us," he said.
Treasurer Eric said staff will return with options to cover the local gap, including possible use of reserves, anticipated building-permit revenue, or rolling costs into future bond financings. Eric cautioned that while invoicing from IDOT is typically staggered, the village should plan for cash-flow management as bills arrive.
The board moved, seconded and approved concurrence with the IDOT award by roll call. Trustees voting "yes" included Goldstone, Jacoby, Appenheim, Benton, Berg and Oppenheim. The project remains subject to IDOT contract administration; IDOT will pay the contractor and bill the village for Deerfield's share as work progresses.
Next steps: staff will finalize construction scheduling with the contractor, coordinate outreach with the park district and residents, and return with funding options and any budget amendments needed to cover the local share.
