151st Street Widening – Project Summary & Status
With the amount of traffic on 151st Street increasing over the years, the Village of Homer Glen is in the process of completing a Phase I study, to widen 151st Street, between Bell Road and Cedar Road. The proposed widening project will add a new striped center median/turn lane to 151st Street, which would allow the free-flow of thru traffic lanes, while accommodating vehicle traffic to adjacent roadways and properties. In addition, with the completion of the first several phases of Heritage Park, the 151st Street widening project will also include the construction of a new bike trail parallel to the roadway pavement. The project will not widen 151St to four lanes, plus a turning lane. This is misinformation that is being shared publicly. The completed Phase I report is anticipated to be submitted to IDOT by the end of February, for review and approval.
The Village Board approved the initial agreement for a Phase I study for the 151st Street widening, from Parker Road to Cedar Road, on March 23, 2016. The Phase I study agreement was amended at the August 3, 2016 Village Board meeting to extend the limits of the project from Cedar Road to Bell Road. The cost of the Phase I is $115,711.14. The Phase I has to be completed, in order to receive grant funds through the STP/CMAP program administered through the Will County Governmental League.
In order for the Village to complete the proposed roadway improvements, it will be necessary for the Village to obtain additional property and/or temporary construction easements from forty-four (44) land owners along 151st Street. The amount of permanent and/or temporary easements will vary for each property, based on the proposed improvements. Staff has been in contact with multiple property owners to obtain approval for the additional property and/or easements.
In order to fund the project, the Village will be seeking to apply for STP-L (Surface Transportation Program) CMAP funding through the Will County Governmental League. The proposed project is estimated to cost approximately five million dollars. The STP program would fund 80% of the project, with a local 20% match required by the Village of Homer Glen. Thus, the estimated cost to the Village would be approximately $1.0 million dollars. However, the STP funding does not cover right-of-way or easement acquisition costs, which are estimated to be approximately $400,000. The Village has begun negotiations for ROW and easements. The STP Funding Schedule is as follows:
January 6 Call for Projects Opens
March 2 Deadline for WCGL Review
March 6 Call for Projects Closes
June 3 WCGL Staff Presents a Recommended Program
September 2 WCGL Staff Presents a Final Recommended Program for Adoption
September 15 CMAP TIP Amendments Are Due
September 25 CMAP Transportation Committee Considers Recommending Approval of TIP Amendment Incorporating Program
October 8 CMAP Board and MPO Policy Committee Approval of TIP Amendment
Should the Village be successful in obtaining STP Funding in 2020, the goal of the Village would be to complete the Phase II engineering plans in 2021, with a possible bid letting in late 2021 or early 2022, and construction in the spring of 2022. If the Village does not get the funding, the project would be pushed out two years, for the next round grant funding. The 2020 STP funding cycle is going to be very competitive; since the program has been on hold for a few years, pending CMAP changes to the program. The 2022 STP funding cycle will be less competitive.
On February 13, 2020, the Village will be hosting a public meeting for the 151st Street project, from 4:00 to 7:00 pm in the Village Board room. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the proposed improvements and the project schedule, and to provide information to the area residents and businesses. The general scope of work includes reconstruction of 151st Street in order to enhance and improve safety and provide pedestrian access to specific points of interests. The meeting will be conducted on an informal, open house basis. Exhibits will be on display and representatives from the Village of Homer Glen and their consultant will be present to receive input, provide information, and answer questions.