Libertyville expected to trim 2018 road repair program
Libertyville will be scaling back its road repair program next year to begin saving for three big pending projects.
The estimated $2.63 million in roadwork for the 2018 construction season is down from the originally planned $4.75 million, as the village readies for the resurfacing of Golf Road, rebuilding of Rockland Road and replacing a bridge over the Des Plaines River.
In recent years, Libertyville has spent $4.5 million to $5 million annually on road repairs, funded by proceeds of a $20 million borrowing program approved by voters in 2012.
The proposed 2018 work is considered a bonus because the village, through favorable construction contracts, will have $2.1 million left from the borrowing program that was to have lasted only through 2017.
"We've been able to do more than originally estimated. That has allowed to carry us over to a sixth year," Public Works Director Paul Kendzior said.
When all is said and done this season, the village will have repaired or resurfaced just over a third of the 100 miles of streets in town. The "shave and pave" program was designed to revive deteriorating streets before they needed to be rebuilt at triple the cost, village officials said when the question was put on the ballot.
Kendzior said the list of streets to be addressed in 2018 was pared after further study showed the need to set aside motor fuel tax funds for three big projects: resurfacing Golf Road from Milwaukee Avenue to Butterfield Road, rebuilding Rockland Road from Milwaukee Avenue to Riverside Drive just west of the Des Plaines River, and replacing Rockland Road and the bridge over the river.
The federal government will pay 80 percent of the cost for each project, but that still leaves a substantial local share. For example, based on preliminary estimates, the village will be responsible for $500,000 of the Golf Road project. Bids for the work are expected to be let next summer.
For Rockland Road, the village will be shouldering the entire $1.75 million to replace a water main and extend a storm sewer to reduce flooding, in addition to its share of the $3.8 million roadwork. Construction is expected in 2019.
Libertyville and Libertyville Township equally own and maintain the old bridge over the river and will split the local share of the estimated $2.9 million project, with construction in 2021 or 2022.
In any case, the taxpayer approved funding will be exhausted after next year.
"This clears out the cupboards," Village Administrator Chris Clark said.
After 2018, the village will need about $1.5 million for roadwork, with motor fuel tax and vehicle stickers accounting for about half that.
"We're caught up (with road repairs) but how do you stay caught up? We're going to get creative on how to build a good balance," Clark said.