The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Joy Swearingen, J-P correspondent
Work on the Connable Road in western Hancock County could begin this summer, after action taken at the Hancock County Board meeting April 16.
The board approved W.L. Miller’s bid of $4,411,875 for the Connable Road improvements. The contract requires IDOT approval since state funds are involved. Work should start in June or July.
After the meeting, County Engineer Elgin Berry explained how the project will move forward.
“The contractor must obtain several hundred feet of steel culverts and one precast concrete box culvert. That’s not something that they would order until they have a fully-executed contract in place,” Berry said.
The first step is a Full-Depth Reclamation (FDR) and base widening. Pavement samples will determine how much asphalt emulsion and/or Portland cement is needed. Work will start when those materials are on site.
The contract allows for 80 working days, with project completion in October.
“The county’s original intention was to hold the bid letting last fall and use the winter months to sign the contract and order materials,” Berry said. “However, IDOT would not allow the county to hold the letting until the cultural clearance (for archaeological assets, historic structures, etc.) was obtained. That has pushed everything back.”
At the meeting, the board allocated $2.8 million in ARPA funds toward the cost of the project. The remainder will be covered by Rebuild Illinois Funds of $835,730, TARP funds of $436,000, and county Motor Fuel Tax.
(The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) gave federal funds to states in 2021. These funds to cities and counties must be used or allocated by December 31, 2024. In 2022, Berry applied for an Illinois Truck Access Route Program (TARP) grant for this project, and $436,000 was approved.)
The project will improve 4.6 miles of the Connable Road from the Ferris Road (1800N) to US Route 136. The road will be widened from 20.6 feet to 24 feet, with white edge strips marking a 22-foot roadway. This creates two 11-foot lanes and a one-foot asphalt shoulder on each side.
An additional three-foot gravel shoulder will make a 30-foot road top between the outer edges of the shoulders.
Berry encourages the public to be patient during one-lane sections and brief full road closures during the project.
“In the early stages of the work, there will be complete road closures of one-mile sections for the cross-road culvert replacements and Full Depth Reclamation work,” he said.
“Each complete closure will last anywhere from two to six working days, depending on the length of the section and how many culverts are involved.”
The contractor will furnish message boards at each end of the job to inform the public of when and where the closures will occur. This can change from day to day.
Berry stressed that property owners or residents living within the closed section will always have access to their driveways from at least one direction. Single lane closures will be controlled by flagmen.
“We ask the public to be respectful of the flaggers and the work crews,” Berry said. “They have a job to do, and they want to go home to their families at the end of each work day.”
In other action related to roads, the board approved purchasing township and county culverts from Metal Culverts, Inc. They approved allowing anticipation warrants to be issued for Township Bridge Funds if needed.
A representative from Ameren Illinois was at the meeting to discuss a plan to update transmission routes that pass through northern Hancock County. The proposed route includes 24 miles of upgraded transmission lines with the majority along existing corridors, according to Ameren information.
The line would begin near Niota and cross Hancock County mainly along County Road 2400N.
Hancock County Farm Bureau plans an informational meeting 10 a.m. on Wednesday, April 24, at their office at 544 Wabash in Carthage for members potentially impacted by the plan.
The board thanked Olivia Kazukauskas and Alexis Lucie, two of twelve high school students from around the county, who assisted the County Clerk in the March election as judges. Shawn Whitaker, also present, was one of three teacher/advisors who got students to help with the election.
Dr. Maggie Harrell has agreed to continue being the county’s animal control administrator. Her salary was raised from $2,000 to $4,000, as she is taking on more responsibility for animal issues in the county. Anthony Hopp has been appointed to assist the animal control administrator with animal bites.
State’s Attorney Bobi James and Sheriff Travis Duffy have worked out a procedure for responding in case of calls about animal control. The board approved a letter to municipalities clarifying animal procedures.
Towns will be asked for the name of a person to contact in case of an animal issue.
Intergovernmental agreements were signed with West Central Illinois Aging and Disability Resource Center, and with the City of Macomb Transportation System, related to operation of the Hancock County Public Transportation System.
Processes were approved for handling insurance proceeds for damages and for credit cards of office holders.
The board approved the following appointments: