TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Beth Beatty, City Manager
SUBJECT:
title
Resolution Approving an Agreement with the Illinois Commerce Commission and the Illinois Department of Transportation for Phase I Engineering Services for the Laraway Road Grade Separation and Roadway Improvements Project
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BACKGROUND:
The City previously partnered with the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) on a Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) Study to evaluate issues and potential solutions at the Laraway Road and Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) crossing located between Brandon Road and IL Route 53. The PEL Study was completed in 2022 and resulted in a Final Report that provides support for moving the project forward through the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process to a full Phase I Engineering Study (Study).
The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) has prepared a Stipulated Agreement to be executed between the ICC, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), and the City of Joliet. The ICC has committed to funding the full cost of the Phase I Study, which is estimated to cost $3.5M. This estimate is based on a preliminary estimate for construction costs that vary between $40M and $70M. The wide range in cost estimates is due to multiple alternatives for proposed improvements at the intersection of Laraway Road and IL Route 53. The ICC has committed the funds through their Grade Crossing Protection Fund (GCPF). The GCPF, appropriated to the Illinois Department of Transportation but administered by the Illinois Commerce Commission, was created by the General Assembly to assist local jurisdictions (counties, townships and municipalities) in paying for safety improvements at highway-railroad crossings on local roads and streets.
The City of Joliet is required to be the lead agency on the project as Laraway Road is under the City’s jurisdiction. Therefore, the City will be responsible for managing the Study. The City will retain a consultant to complete the Study and will initially need to fund the services. The ICC will reimburse the City for the services as outlined in the Stipulated Agreement.
The Public Service Committee will review this matter.
CONCLUSION:
Attached is a Resolution approving a Stipulated Agreement with the Illinois Commerce Commission and Illinois Department of Transportation for the subject project. The City will be responsible for managing the Study and the ICC is committed to funding the full cost of the Study.
Upon execution of the Agreement, the City will proceed with retaining a consultant for the Study. Funding for the project will be included in the 2025 City Budget, as the City will need to provide short term funds for the Study that will be reimbursed by the ICC.
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Based on the above, it is recommended that the Mayor and City Council adopt the attached Resolution approving an agreement with the Illinois Commerce Commission and the Illinois Department of Transportation for Phase I Engineering Services for the Laraway Road Grade Separation and Roadway Improvements Project.
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