Approximately $3 million in public works roadway construction projects are planned in Galesburg throughout 2023.
The budgeted amount is a million dollars less than last year when the city of Galesburg spent approximately $4 million in local funds on roadway projects.
City Engineer Aaron Gavin says part of the reason for the decrease is the city has exhausted its allotment of Rebuild Illinois Bond funds that it received from the state for use on road projects. Rebuild Illinois Bond funds were distributed to municipalities statewide in six installments over a 3-year period from 2020-2022. In total, Galesburg received approximately $2.1 million over that 3-year period and used it to make improvements on South Seminary Street and Monmouth Boulevard.
The $3 million being used on city roadway projects this year is similar to what was spent in 2021.
Gavin said in addition to the $3 million in local funds budgeted in 2023, the city is using approximately $700,000 in Federal Surface Transportation dollars for resurfacing work and received a $250,000 grant for sidewalk improvements near Lombard School and King School. The Federal Surface Transportation dollars are distributed to the city on a yearly basis for use on road projects. The $250,000 for sidewalk improvements was awarded to the city from the Safe Routes to School Grant Program that the city applied for in late 2021 and we were notified we received the funding last year.
Some of the larger projects planned are improvements to the extension of Lake Storey Trail, an expansion to a downtown parking lot and Simmons Street, reconstruction of McClure Street and resurfacing of Carl Sandburg Drive from Henderson to Broad streets.
City: Galesburg can’t keep up with aging infrastructure
Gavin says he knows the budgeted amount for roadway projects isn’t enough to fully take care of Galesburg’s aging infrastructure.
“I think to many of the residents in Galesburg, maintaining our streets and sidewalks in good condition is important,” Gavin said. “And like many municipalities, and especially those with older infrastructure like Galesburg, there are improvements that can be made to meet that expectation.
“However, progress is being made as we continue to put money towards streets and sidewalks, and also apply for grants that help bring outside money into the community.
Gavin notes the city was able to put almost a million dollars in local funds towards resurfacing last year that helped address some of Galesburg’s poorer condition asphalt streets. The city also reconstructed a brick street, continuing its goal to replace Galesburg’s brick streets that have reached the end of their useful life.
“The biggest challenge has been stagnant funding sources that have not kept up with rising construction costs,” he said. “
Galesburg receives the majority of its funding for streets from the gas tax. Revenues from this tax have generally remained the same or dropped over time, while construction costs have increased dramatically, especially in the last couple of years.
How does the city select what roads get fixed?
Gavin said projects are selected based on a number of factors, including condition, location and cost among other things. The city inspects the condition of a third of Galesburg’s pavement each year, and that information is used to aid in the decision-making process.
“We may also look at the need for a project based on its location and use,” Gavin said. “Streets with more traffic or sidewalks near schools and in the downtown area can influence a decision when choosing between streets or sidewalks that are in similar condition.
“Cost plays a factor as well. We have to work within a budget each year, so a project may get delayed based on its cost and the funds we have available.”
Larger projects or projects with state and federal funding take time in order to complete the design and approval process, and Gavin said they often identify and plan for those several years in advance. The city annually budgets for some maintenance projects such as sidewalk replacement or resurfacing.
Gavin provided details on some of the major projects scheduled for 2023 and beyond.
Lake Storey Trail Extension
The Lake Storey Trail Extension furthers the city’s plan for completing a continuous trail around Lake Storey. There is an existing path system on the north and west sides of the lake. This proposed project extends the existing path along the south side of Lake Storey and further promotes the city’s Comprehensive Plan and Parks and Recreation Plan for the Lake Storey area.
The city received a $2 million ITEP grant from the State of Illinois that will fund a large portion of the path extension. The city is working with an engineering consultant to complete the plans for the project.
It is anticipated that construction will begin in late 2023 or early 2024.
Carl Sandburg Drive Resurfacing
Carl Sandburg Drive from Henderson Street to just west of Broad Street will be resurfaced with new asphalt. It is also planned to address issues with flooding on the roadway as part of the project. Storm sewer improvements will be made that will help address water ponding on the roadway during heavy rain events. In the past, the city has had to close down lanes of the roadway due to standing water, sometimes several times a year.
Irwin Street Reconstruction
This existing brick street was constructed in 1927 and has reached the end of it’s useful life. The brick street will be replaced between Grove and Losey streets with a new concrete pavement and curb and gutter. New sidewalks and drainage improvements are also included in the project.
Simmons St. and Parking Lot H Project (2024)
The city received a $2 million Rebuild Downtown and Main Streets grant to make improvements to Parking Lot H and Simmons Street. The parking lot will be reconstructed and decorative elements will be added.
These improvements will include new asphalt surfacing, concrete islands, landscaping, decorative fencing, and a proposed covered parking area. Improvements to Simmons Street between Kellogg and Prairie streets will also be made as part of the grant funded project. This will include a new asphalt surface, curbing, sidewalks, lighting, and landscaping.
Construction for this project will begin in 2024.
McClure Street Reconstruction
This section of concrete pavement was constructed in the 1960’s and is in need of full replacement. The existing concrete pavement is heavily deteriorated and has required frequent maintenance and pothole patching to keep the roadway serviceable.
The existing concrete pavement will be removed and a new concrete pavement constructed.
Safe Routes to School Sidewalk Project
The city received a $250,000 Safe Routes to School grant to make improvements to walkability near King School and Lombard School. The project will utilize grant funds and local funds to replace existing sidewalks along Conger Street between Farnham and Losey streets and Locust Street between Clay and Webster streets.
Also new sidewalks will be added on Clay Street and Indiana Avenue between Farnham Street and Grand Avenue. The city identified these locations near schools as in need of sidewalk or sidewalk improvements to provide students a safer route to walk to these schools.
2023 Sealcoat Program (Annual Maintenance project)
Each year, the city seals a portion of the city’s sealcoat streets. The city is split into five sections and one section is done each year, ensuring that each sealcoat street gets done once every five years.
Gavin said this annual maintenance is important, as failing to regularly sealcoat these streets could result in more costly repairs or maintenance. It is planned to seal streets in the east part of Galesburg this year.
2023 Intermittent Resurfacing (Annual Maintenance project)
The city annually resurfaces deteriorated asphalt streets. It is planned to resurface Hawkinson Avenue between North and Losey street, as well as Christopher Drive and parts of Cornelia Road and Cecilia Drive.
The city maintains approximately 75 miles of asphalt streets, which accounts for about half of the total street miles in Galesburg. A typical asphalt street needs to be resurfaced every 15-20 years, making it important to allocate funds each year to maintenance of asphalt streets.
And what about East Main Street and Grand Avenue?
Funding for reconstruction of Grand Avenue from East Main Street to County Highway 32 and East Main Street from Allens to Grand avenues is currently in the state’s Multi-Year Program. The state is currently in the early phases of the design for the project, and have hired an engineering firm to perform this work.
“However, for a large project such as this, it can take a couple of years to complete the design phase,” Gavin said. “So most likely we are a couple years away from seeing construction begin on the project.”
