Schaumburg postpones vote on Higgins Road project
Schaumburg trustees delayed approval of a cost-share agreement with the Illinois Department of Transportation for improvements along Higgins Road, a move that could either win them the compromise they're seeking or cost the village more money for the same project.
Trustees voted 4-2 to defer discussion of the village's participation in the IDOT safety improvement project until March 15, though the state agency plans to put the work out for bid March 4.
Some trustees have expressed concerns about IDOT's plan to close a median at Lexington Drive as part of the work. That would block left turns to and from the village's oldest subdivision, Lexington Fields Estates.
IDOT officials call it a safety issue demonstrated by numerous collisions in the intersection over the past dozen years.
Schaumburg Mayor Al Larson, who did not vote on the decision, said IDOT officials indicated to him they would take a look at some alternative suggestions to closing the median.
Trustee George Dunham said that was reason enough for him to vote for a delay on the village's decision.
But Schaumburg Village Manager Brian Townsend said the village hasn't received any indication that IDOT might alter its plan for the project, which spans from Lexington Drive to the Route 53 frontage roads by the Streets of Woodfield shopping center.
The cost-share agreement would have seen Schaumburg contribute $80,241 to the work. Federal Highway Safety Improvement Program funds will pay for 90 percent of the project, with the village and state covering the remaining 10 percent.
The village's share also would cover two additions it specifically requested - opticoms allowing emergency vehicles to pre-empt the traffic signals at six intersections, and the installation of 375 feet of new sidewalk from Lexington Drive to Mall Drive on the south side of Higgins Road.
Schaumburg Director of Transportation Karyn Robles said the village agreed to pay the full cost of the opticoms - $6,900 per signal, for a total of $41,400. The cost of the sidewalk installation is $13,125, of which the village would have to pay only $3,019. But doing it later could cause the village to pay the entire cost, Robles said.
Concerns about the possible additional cost led trustees Marge Connelly and Mark Madej to vote against the delay Tuesday.
"There are other ways of declaring your displeasure," Madej said.
While he hopes IDOT considers alternatives to closing the median, Madej said he would agree with IDOT's current plan if it's shown to be the safest option for drivers.
The board will discuss the agreement again at its next committee-of-the-whole meeting, 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 15, at village hall, 101 Schaumburg Court.