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Village connector faces major cost increase; commissioners cite funding gap
Summary
Commissioners reported the village portion of the connector project faces a $500,000–$750,000 cost increase; village officials are exploring TIP and other funding sources while engineers resolve a right-of-way ownership question before restarting work.
Commissioners said the village segment of the connector project has entered a new phase of cost uncertainty, with village officials reporting a funding shortfall of roughly $500,000 to $750,000 compared with earlier approvals.
Elliot, who spoke for the village portion, said the village is in “sticker shock” after updated estimates. “The village portion is gonna be in excess of $500,000,” he said, adding that federal preliminary engineering costs rose while federal contributions fell, creating a funding gap. Commissioners discussed pursuing Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) funds and other outside sources to close the shortfall.
Members noted there is at least one outstanding right-of-way issue that the engineers must resolve before construction resumes. Elliot said village leadership and the mayor have been looking for additional funding and that he was optimistic about finding sources to help move the project forward, but cautioned that the village needs certainty about ownership and engineering details before proceeding to bid.
Next steps: commissioners asked staff and village representatives to pursue TIP conversations and clarify the right-of-way ownership question with engineers, and requested updates to be reported to the commission as funding options are developed.
