Village wins DOT grant and may accelerate Birch Street reconstruction to 2028

Village staff told the Public Works & Utility Committee on May 11 that a local road improvement grant has been awarded for Birch Street reconstruction between Scullfield Avenue and Community Center Drive and that the project will likely be advanced from 2029 to 2028 now that funding is in hand.

Staff estimated the total project cost at about $1.5 million and said the DOT grant will cover just over half of the project. The full reconstruction will include roadway surfacing, a bicycle/pedestrian accommodation and other corridor improvements; staff contrasted this scope with prior work that had only replaced a storm culvert and noted the current project will reconstruct the entire roadway section.

Committee members asked whether advancing Birch Street would require sliding other projects in the CIP; staff said they would review the schedule and funding over the coming months and try to avoid cancelling or unduly delaying other projects where possible. Staff also noted the village has secured roughly $9 million in grant funding over the past four to five years and continues to pursue grant opportunities to reduce local costs.

The update also covered related near-term construction items: Integrity Grading & Excavating will make repairs on Weston Avenue this week; HOS Construction is working on Scoffield Avenue pavement marking and manhole repairs; and staff tentatively scheduled a Bladel special assessment meeting for May 28. Committee members thanked staff for grant work and noted the community benefit of moving capital projects forward when funding is available.