Published: November 04, 2009 06:14 pm      

Bidding begins for road, bridge projects

DANVILLE — The bidding process is under way for a number of state-funded road and bridge improvement projects in east central Illinois, according to state Rep. Bill Black, R-Danville.

Black said in a press release that officials from the Illinois Department of Transportation expect the bidding process to take about 45 days on local projects including:

-- Removing the existing County Highway 22 bridge over the middle fork of the Vermilion River north of Penfield and replacing it with a new, four-span concrete bridge. The project also will include shoulder widening. Its estimated cost is $1.38 million.

-- Resurfacing and patching Flessner Avenue, Pacesetter Drive and Eagle Drive in Rantoul at an estimated cost of $411,000

-- Nine miles of milling, resurfacing, storm sewer and culvert replacement on Illinois Route 130 from Madison Street in Philo to the north city limits of Villa Grove at an estimated cost of $7.21 million.

-- Pavement overlay and shoulder improvements on Main Street in Westville from the village’s western boundary to the eastern boundary. The project also includes construction of new Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant sidewalk ramps with warning surfaces. The project’s total estimated cost is $361,000.

-- Pavement patching, surfacing and marking, and shoulder improvements on Denmark Road from the Danville city limits to West Newell Road at an estimated cost of $1.2 million.

“Keeping our roads and bridges safe is a job that must remain a priority, even in difficult economic times. It’s an investment in our families and our communities, and I am very pleased that these crucial projects are moving forward,” Black said.

IDOT officials say that a timeline for construction of each project will be established once the bidding process is complete.