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Evanston votes to apply for $3.4M federal grant to design Sheridan Road corridor improvements
Summary
Council authorized submission of a $3.4 million federal grant application to fund feasibility and design work on Sheridan Road; staff estimated potential construction costs of $18–20 million and clarified that accepting the design grant does not obligate construction.
Evanston’s City Council voted Feb. 9 to authorize the city manager to submit a federal grant application that would fund phase 1 feasibility and phase 2 design for Sheridan Road corridor improvements, a multi‑jurisdictional corridor that links to Chicago and involves IDOT ownership.
Assistant City Engineer Chris Sousse told council the design and reconstruction of the corridor could cost roughly $18–20 million overall, with a preliminary estimate of about $12 million for the segment from the Chicago border to east of South Boulevard. The funding opportunity would provide up to $3.4 million for preliminary work. Staff and council emphasized that accepting a design/feasibility grant obligates the city to produce the design work but does not commit the city to pay construction costs; decisions about construction would return to council with updated cost estimates and funding strategies.
Council asked about timelines, matching responsibilities and whether IDOT would share construction costs. Staff said the grant is federal funding for which phase 1 and phase 2 work could be funded; any construction would likely require additional grants or local matches, and specifics would be provided if the award is received. Council approved the resolution authorizing the application by unanimous roll call.
Quote: “No. Approving this tonight is not committing us to an $18‑ to $20‑million construction project.” — Council member Rogers
Outcome: Resolution 10‑R‑26 authorizing submission of the grant application was adopted (roll call 9–0). If awarded, staff said they would return with the grant agreement terms and seek council approval before signing final construction commitments.
