Highway Committee discusses road improvements

MORRIS – The Grundy County Board's Animal Control/Highway/Transit Committee met Thursday, and heard updates on the many highway projects.

The Highway Committee voted to approve to recommend to the full board a resolution to put a golf cart crossing across Saratoga Road at Nettle Creek Drive. All costs will be paid by Morris Country Club.

County Engineer Eric Gibson stated that construction has begun on the bridge on Grand Ridge Road over Johnny Run, just east of Route 47, as well as on Braceville Road over the Mazon River. Both will be using the same detour route and should be finished with 1-2 months.

Gibson also noted that two other bridge repair projects are in the five-year plan. He also stated that North Brisbin Road from Minooka Road to 3/4 mile north of Route 80 has been posted for weight. He said this is the first time that section of road has been posted, and that crews have been working to maintain it. He said that Gorman Road from Gardner Road to Braceville Road is also experiencing maintenance work. He then said that the cost of repairing DuPont road through the plants along the road will experience an signifcant increase with the re-routing of the road through wetlands and tree removal.

Updating the Ridge Road project, Gibson said he is working on getting reimbursed for work that has already been completed. He said that plans are in the review process and that they are hinging on the deck construction agreement.

The committee approved to re-obligate North Brisbin Road and Ridge Road from McEvilly South savings to Ridge Road from McEvilly to Minooka Road.

Animal Control Director Sue Gale announced that the organization held its first microchip event and it went well. There are already people signed up for the next event, scheduled for April 3. They also had their first Shred X event, and she announced that between hers and four other departments, they shredded 110 boxes of material. Gale also announced that, during the month of February, the department took in 19 animals, adopted out eight, euthanized one, returned four to owners and sent eight to rescue.

The Transit Committee announced that they had their two diesel buses, neither of which were running, towed to Ritchie Brothers, where they will be sold for parts at an auction Thursday. They are also working on a request for proposal for an on-board surveillance system for all of their buses, which they hope to have in place by the end of the year.

"With our ridership increasing, it will be nice to have something in place that keeps everyone safe," committee member Debbie Jo Kinsella said.