Grayslake paying extra for faster road work
Grayslake will spend more on labor this summer in an effort to speed up resurfacing work on a village thoroughfare, hoping it will reduce driver inconvenience.
Village trustees recently authorized spending up to an extra $30,000 for the $1.3 million Atkinson Road project between Washington Street and Sheffield Lane.
“The purpose is to spend a little bit extra money to increase the number of days worked and the time spent working those days in order to … minimize the time the road will be closed,” Grayslake Mayor Rhett Taylor said.
Under the plan, Crystal Lake-based Curran Contracting Co. will receive the additional money for overtime payments to crews. The work will occur on a 400-foot stretch of Atkinson.
Grayslake officials project the resurfacing can be reduced from an estimated eight weeks to five weeks. Work is to begin soon.
Crews originally were to work on the resurfacing eight hours a day, five days a week. The additional $30,000 means work can occur up to 12 hours daily and for six days a week.
Taylor said some lane closures are expected because of Atkinson’s proximity to environmentally sensitive wetlands. He said the overall inconvenience to motorists should be reduced with the job getting done faster.
Village trustees voted 6-0 in favor of the additional spending. Of the $1.3 million total construction cost for Atkinson, the federal government will cover $893,200. The village will pay about $382,800.