PEORIA, Ill. — After taking it off the table in April because of budgetary setbacks brought on by COVID-19, the Peoria City Council has voted to reinstate the $4 million needed to complete its Sheridan Rd. project.
The unanimous vote paves the way for a new roadway, sidewalks, stormwater sewers, lighting, and a bike lane from West Eleanor to West Richmond.
Work on repairing Sheridan began in 2016. The stretch approved for construction Tuesday night was to be part of the 2020 Community Investment Plan.
It was then cut out of the plan and shelved until 2021.
However, Council was approached in early July by Illinois Civil Contractors, Inc. about the possibility of completing the project by the end of 2020.
Construction crews will close the road Wednesday, adding signage and begin construction on Monday.
ICCI offered a 3% cost reduction from the originally-projected cost.
Public Works Director Rick Powers said there will be an impact on local residents and through traffic, because that stretch of road will be fully closed.
“The benefits to a full closure are, first, safety, because we can bring everybody in to do all the work we are planning to do and anything may encounter we don’t know is there,” he said.
“So, the utilities, the contractor, and any other work that needs to be done will be done in a closed construction environment.”
Powers said information residents of the affected area will need will be rolled out Wednesday to them.
Through traffic will be rerouted down Columbia Terrace, McClure Ave., and University St.
Powers said it’s much needed, given the frequency with which the stretch is used.
“It’s a highly-traveled road. About 6,000 ADT (average daily traffic) per day,” he said.
“The effect on the economy and this contractor working and putting people to work, we see as a benefit to this, as well.”
Powers said 23.48% of the hours on this project will be done by people of color, and 3.69% will be done by female. He said the city’s goals are 18% and 3%, respectively.
