Amid protests, new St. Charles bridge inches ahead

St. Charles aldermen deflected another round of pleas Tuesday night from residents who live near the site of the Red Gate Bridge project by approving two contracts that will keep construction on track to begin at the end of this month.

Residents from Greenwood Lane and Chesapeake Road, both within view of Red Gate Road, filled every seat of the city council chambers. It was one of the larger showings from the Concerned Coalition for Sensible Spending, a local community organization opposed to the bridge. But their arguments weren't new.

“Does the spend justify the need?” said Mark Prieve in summing up the group's concerns. The group believes the city should wait to have more state grant money in hand before proceeding with the $30 million bridge. Some group members also expressed safety concerns about the bridge's proximity to St. Charles North High School and validity of surveys showing support for the project.

Those concerns have yet to change even one vote on the city council. Aldermen, again, cast two unanimous votes moving the project forward. The first vote dedicated nearly $1.7 million toward the first phase of the construction. That phase will consist mostly of site preparation for the eventual new river crossings to come in subsequent phases. The bid for the work came in more than $1 million less than the city predicted. Mayor Don DeWitte said if the remaining contracts show similar savings there is a chance the city won't have to issue any bonds to borrow money for the project.

The second contract approved the payment of nearly $426,000 to Alfred Benesch & Company for construction and engineering services.

City Finance Director Chris Minick said after the meeting the city has two backup plans in place in case state grant money doesn't materialize to proceed with the next construction phase. Those plans involve either borrowing more money to complete the project or using money currently earmarked for other projects. DeWitte said he doesn't foresee the need for either of those plans.

“We have no indication that any of the committed funding is in jeopardy,” he said.