Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Transportation Infrastructure topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Belvidere wins phase-1 grants, approves preliminary engineering contract for grade-separation project
Summary
Council accepted FRA and IDOT grants totaling roughly $2.08 million and approved a not-to-exceed $299,853 agreement with HLR for preliminary engineering and environmental review of the Appleton (Upton) Road grade-separation project; staff also authorized a $4,000 proposal to help prepare a CRISI grant application.
Belvidere City Council on April 27 moved the Appleton (Upton) Road grade-separation project forward by approving Phase 1 engineering and environmental-review work and accepting related grant funds.
Director Anderson said the city has received a Federal Railroad Administration grant for $1,666,279 and an Illinois Department of Transportation grant for $416,569.75 to support phase-1 engineering and environmental review. Staff recommended awarding a contract to HLR (referenced in the packet and abbreviated HLR) for up to $299,853 to complete that work; roughly $282,848.70 will come from those grants with about $17,430 from the city's capital fund. The council approved the agreement by voice vote.
Anderson also described a US Department of Transportation Consolidated Rail Infrastructure & Safety Improvements (CRISI) notice of funding opportunity and recommended paying HLR up to $4,000 to prepare a phase-2 grant application and updated construction cost estimate. The council approved that proposal as well.
Why it matters: The phase-1 work positions Belvidere to compete for larger federal funding for construction; the mayor said he has been advised additional congressional funds may become available for phase-2 engineering. Council members noted construction costs continue to rise and said updated cost estimates will be important for future grant rounds.
Next steps: Staff will proceed with HLR for phase-1 engineering and environmental review, complete the CRISI application work, and pursue additional federal funding opportunities. The city will return to the council with contract materials and any further grant awards.
