Route 30 Widening Agreement Receives Approval

The Village Board took another step to making the long-anticipated Route 30 widening project a reality.

At Monday's meeting, the board unanimously approved an agreement with the Illinois Department of Transportation, outlining the costs each governmental body is responsible for when it comes to the $72.8 million road project. 

Overall, Frankfort is responsible for about $1.034 million in local costs associated with the widening, which includes installing traffic lights, sidewalks, bike paths, utility work and other construction. But a $250,000 federal grant that former Rep. Debbie Halvorson helped secure will offset some of that.

Here is a breakdown of what's involved, provided by the Village of Frankfort. The figures include engineering costs. 

According to the approved agreement, the village will pay half of the cost in an initial lump sum, with the remaining amount being paid two years after the project's completion. The money for the project will come from the the Motor Fuel, Utility Capital and Village Capital funds.

The Route 30 construction project involves an 8.5-mile stretch of the highway that begins at Harlem Avenue in Frankfort and runs to William Street in New Lenox. F.H. Paschen Construction was the low bidder for the widening, although the bid still awaits final approval.