Will County Gazette

Next Monday, the Park Forest Public Works Department will commence its road work construction season, targeting over two miles of Village roadways.

In total, 11 streets will undergo several months of construction. The Forest Boulevard Project, a collaboration between the Village and Cook County, is set to launch later this summer. Park Forest has secured $3 million from the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program (ITEP) for reconstructing Forest Boulevard, which involves removing the southbound section within the Village's Downtown area.

Nick Christie, the Public Works Assistant Director, stated the decision-making process for road work involves assessing factors such as costs, road quality, and previous utility work. Christie pointed out that the 2019 comprehensive Village-wide Pavement Assessment Report guides this selection. This report, funded by the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP), evaluated the condition of roads throughout the Village and outlined future maintenance requirements. The report found that 77% of Village roads scheduled for construction this year are in fair to serious condition.

Christie explained that streets in a "fair" condition might still be revamped if utility work has been completed or planned. For example, repaving occurs when a water main under a street is replaced, tackling multiple issues at once. However, limited funding sometimes restricts the ability to address all potential projects.

Discussing the costs and funding for road work, Christie mentioned that repaving costs can greatly vary based on factors such as project size, pavement type, and the street's usage. Typically, the cost for repaving a two-lane residential road ranges from $1 million to $3 million per mile. The current project, involving 11 streets and covering about two miles, is estimated at $4 million.

Christie explained that Park Forest employs diverse funding sources for street projects, including grants and local revenue. Recently, they secured grants from state and federal agencies to help cover costs. Additionally, the Village's general fund and motor fuel tax revenue contribute to financing these projects. In some cases, grant programs necessitate a local financial match. For example, Christie noted the Federal Surface Transportation Program (STP) often requires a 20% local match on construction costs.

Eleven streets are scheduled for reconstruction this season, Christie announced. Beginning Monday, April 21, work will begin on streets in the East Lincolnwood neighborhood, including New Salem, Herndon, Gentry, and Monitor. Other streets set for reconstruction are Tomahawk, Topeka, Nauvoo (west of Shabbona), Somonauk (west of Shabbona), Seneca, Onarga, and Marquette (from Orchard to Oswego).