The city of Bloomington has approved a resolution to obligate $5.05 million of Rebuild Illinois Grant Funds to construct Hamilton Road, from Bunn Street to Morrissey Drive.
“This is really an allocation that we have been notified that we are getting basically,” said Public Works Director Kevin Kothe, “Even though it is called grant funding we know that we are going to get this amount.” “The state … wants to see the money obligated for this project,” he said, “So it is really a formality.”
The project’s current estimated cost of construction is $14.2 million. Federal Surface Transportation funds of $5.9 million are allocated towards this project. In addition, $273,392.16 of COVID Relief funds are available for the project.
$8.0 million of state motor fuel tax funds were slated to provide the remaining balance. The $5.0 million of REBUILD Illinois grant funds will free up $5.0 million of state motor fuel tax funds for other projects.
“We are hoping to get this out to bid next spring,” Kothe said, “Right now we are still working through the railroad and through some land acquisition and stuff like that.”
Bloomington also plans to bid out the Fox Creek Road Bridge and Road Widening project next year
“Really they are kind of connected,” Kothe said, “The Hamilton project is that section east of Bunn Street and the Fox Creek project is that section west of Beich Road where there is a two lane section there as well.”
