Kane to vote on major Longmeadow contracts
Kane County officials will take three significant votes next month to move toward completion of the Longmeadow Parkway, including to fund a study for the toll bridge and about $37 million in construction work.
The county board's transportation committee Tuesday discussed a $160,000 contract for a Chicago-based firm. Under the pending deal, Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. would walk the county board through all the information needed to determine how much money to borrow to build a bridge over the Fox River.
The team would prepare a cost-benefit analysis of the toll bridge. The study would detail expected operation and maintenance costs for the next 20 years.
KDOT staff members explained hiring the consultant is required before the county board votes to issue bonds for the construction. The report will contain information that will help the county board set an appropriate toll amount to repay the debt.
The toll will also fund a long-term maintenance reserve that could allow the board to sunset the tolls at some point.
The committee also gave preliminary approval for two construction contracts with Hoffman Estates-based Plote Construction Co. worth about $37 million.
The first contract, for $27.8 million, will cover Longmeadow Parkway construction from west of Karen Drive to east of Route 31, including a new bridge over Route 31. The total is 7 percent less than the county budgeted. Federal and state funds will pay for the majority of the contract.
The county's cost share is about $9.2 million. That doesn't include a $750,000 contingency needed to cover unforeseen costs.
The second contract will cover Longmeadow construction from east of Route 25 to Route 62. It will include reconstruction of Route 62 from north of Autumn Trail to south of Regan Boulevard.
The $9.2 million cost is 24 percent below the county's estimates for that section of the project. State officials earmarked about $7.3 million for this contract. That leaves about $1.9 million for the county to fund. The total doesn't include a $287,580 contingency for unexpected costs.
Transportation committee member Jarett Sanchez was the lone "no" vote on each contract. The county board still must take a final vote.