La Salle receives new $323,830 street sweeper

La Salle’s new Elgin Pelican NP Street Sweeper has arrived.

The La Salle City Council approved the $323,830 purchase of the street sweeper in July, after discussing leasing options but ultimately deciding to purchase outright.

City Works Director Kevin Fay said while he hoped to have the new sweeper in before the end of fall to help with leaf cleanup, part of the delay for acquiring the sweeper was awaiting the camera system to be installed.

During June’s budget hearing Finance Director John Duncan said the previous sweeper is 18 years old. Life expectancy for an average street sweeper is 10 years.

The new sweeper comes with a four-year maintenance package and a lifetime warranty on the hopper, which is able to be dumped into a dump truck.

The city still will have to change broom heads, sprayer nozzles and the belt inside of it. But, the larger equipment, such as the bigger broom will be sent off and covered by the maintenance agreement.

Fay said his team has two more training sessions to complete on the sweeper before they use it — but will primarily use the new sweeper for water main breaks and traffic accidents during the winter, when possible.