IDOT to pay for overtime on Palatine Road project

Since marginal progress was made in the Palatine Road expansion project during a monthlong strike this summer, all lanes of traffic may not reopen before winter shutters work.

But Palatine officials have struck a deal improving the odds the work will be done and without costing the village another dime.

The Illinois Department of Transportation last week approved a contract acceleration agreement that covers overtime costs for longer work days Monday through Friday, full work days on Saturdays and even a rare Sunday.

"It's an opportunity to make up those man-hours and get us back on schedule," Palatine Mayor Jim Schwantz said. "Unfortunately, Mother Nature holds the ultimate trump card."

Schwantz lauded state Sen. Matt Murphy, a Palatine Republican, for his role in expediting the agreement.

Palatine Village Manager Reid Ottesen estimated the state would pay up to $120,000 as part of the contract IDOT's only contribution to the project per the village's request.

After playing second fiddle in previous major roadwork projects, the village insisted on taking the lead this time to maintain autonomy. Palatine will spend up to $2.15 million of its own money on construction costs and secured $8.55 million in federal grants for the rest.

Ottesen said dry weather has worked in the project's favor since the strike ended in late July, but it's still a 50-50 shot whether both directions of traffic on Palatine Road will reopen east of the train tracks. The village's primary focus is the downtown area, so all lanes of traffic are expected to open on Palatine Road west of the tracks, as are all Plum Grove Road lanes.

"We'll pick up the equivalent of almost two days a week of work with this deal," Ottesen said.