Bloomington is moving forward with its long-delayed multimillion-dollar Fox Creek Bridge replacement, with the city council Monday authorizing engineers to finalize construction plans.
"It's going to be a multiyear project. But we do know that some construction will begin this year" after some final details are worked out between the participating parties, said Bloomington City Manager Tim Gleason.
Also at the Bloomington City Council’s regular meeting — in the downtown Government Center — leaders also voted to spend another $2 million on this year’s road and sidewalk maintenance programs, as well as heard about an Illinois Department of Transportation [IDOT] meeting about major upgrades planned for Illinois 9.
As part of Monday's meeting, Bloomington Finance Director Scott Rathbun led the third of five spring presentations about the proposed $332 million budget for fiscal year 2025.
Rathbun told the council nearly 70% of the city's budget goes toward community direct services and support, such as water, sewer, trash collection, public safety, and McLean County Health Department, and more.
He noted the budget reflects much needed water infrastructure projects to address the aging system. Those are possible with revenue coming from a series of water fee increases in Bloomington.
Fox Creek Road and Bridge project back on track
The city's plan to move forward with the $14.6 million project replacing the bridge on Fox Creek Road still is being fine-tuned, said Gleason.
Wednesday’s council vote means road and bridge work is expected to begin this year — in collaboration with two Chicago-based firms. About $450,000 will go to Alfred Benesch & Co. for preliminary and construction engineering, and about $21,000 to Matthewson Land Services for land acquisition services.
"(It's) not just accessibility to the existing subdivision and businesses that are in that area, but we know that there is growth coming. So this is an economic development piece. This addresses some of the residential needs, if there's expansion to the subdivision," he said. "This is a huge project for the community."
Construction estimates are at $14.6 million. Financing comes from the state Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) funds. According to Bloomington's website, the city expects about $2 million will be eligible for state reimbursement. So, Bloomington would pay about $12.5 million from its MFT funds.
When complete there will be five lanes, a new bridge and traffic signals at Fox Creek and Danbury Drive and Fox Creek and Beich Road.
Bloomington also is building a 10-foot wide trail for bicyclists and pedestrians, north of the road, and a sidewalk to the south. "It's an important project to the community," focused on east-west connection, said Gleason.
City leaders say the goal is to improve safety on Fox Creek Road, while providing a variety of transportation options for crossing the Union Pacific Railroad there. IDOT and railroad officials have reviewed the bridge plans.
The original plans to replace that bridge stalled due to conflicts with Union Pacific, and more recently due to pandemic-related delays.
COVID-relief funds help with this year’s road projects
On Monday, the council approved Phase 2 spending for its annual programs for street resurfacing and sidewalks improvements.
While public works staff handle minor maintenance as well as pothole repair, contractors are hired for major projects.
These replacements of sidewalks and curbs allow the city to build more ramps that meet Americans with Disabilities Act requirements. Eligible Bloomington property owners can take part in a 50/50 cost-sharing agreement to replace these, as well as aging gutters.
The council approved a $1.34 million contract with Rowe Construction, a division of United Contractors Midwest, for the road resurfacing portion; and a separate $806,00 contract with George Gildner Inc. for the sidewalks, curbs and gutters.
Part of the resurfacing work will improve Constitution Trail along General Electric Road — from Veterans Parkway to to Airport Road.
Each company provided the lower of two bids in their categories. Nearly all of the $2.1 million allocated for these projects comes from COVID-relief American Rescue Plan Act [ARPA] funds.
Rathbun mentioned later in the council meeting that all ARPA-funded projects need to be designated by this year, and completed by 2026. He noted about $500,000 still is available for the city's affordable housing repair grant program, for which eligible Bloomington residents can apply.
Bloomington keeps an online update of its streets and sidewalk projects at BloomingtonStreets.com.
IDOT talk previews work on Illinois 9
Prior to Monday's city council meeting in council chambers, the city welcomed IDOT staff in that space for a public talk outlining major upgrades planned for a Bloomington stretch of Illinois 9. Dozens of people attended.
The U.S. Department of Transportation is providing Illinois nearly $53 million for the project. That IDOT work includes repaving, curb and gutter replacement and sidewalk and accessibility improvements from Hinshaw Avenue in west Bloomington to Hershey Avenue on the east side.
Gleason said the December announcement coupled with other IDOT promised funds over the next four years brings the total coming in to the city for these type of projects more than $100 million.
When adding all of that to the $40 million the city council has pledged to put into Bloomington road projects over the next four years, "we're looking at $150 million plus, in asphalt and concrete projects related to roads," said Gleason.
With the projects, there will be disruption. "But this is major investment in the Bloomington community, and we are very fortunate" to have funding to make the improvements, he added.
Bloomington Mayor Mboka Mwilambwe echoed that excitement.
"I cannot underscore how important that is for the community. That is a fantastic award. For sure there will be some disruption, that is a downside," but it will be worth it for the long-term benefits, the mayor said.
In other business, the council:
- Heard the third of five spring presentations about the proposed FY2025 budget. In April, the council is expected to vote on the plan.
- OK'd an $88,500 contract with J Spencer Construction, for a kitchen remodel at Bloomington Fire Station #3, on East Empire Street.
- Granted a special-use permit for Glass America to open a vehicle repair and service site at 1706 E. Hamilton Road, near the intersection with Commerce Parkway.
- Extended a job recruitment and branding campaign, with a $55,450 contract with the Rockford-based GrahamSpencer firm.
- Postponed a decision on whether to dissolve the city's property maintenance review board. A trio of public comments questioned whether that board's duties should merge into Bloomington's building board of appeals.
