Kankakee County officials said on Oct. 16 that the Illinois Department of Transportation added county projects to its five-year program, awarding grants that remove the county's local match for two bridge projects and funding three additional road projects.

County leaders said IDOT's recent announcement covers the county's previously approved 20% share on two bridge projects the county had already voted to support; federal funding covers 80% of those projects. County officials said that, with the IDOT grants, the county will not need to pay the 20% match for those two bridges unless final costs exceed the grant-funded amounts.

The county also received funds for three road projects. One is a total reconstruction of Gertine Street, described in the meeting as more than resurfacing and intended to include curb and gutter, upgraded base and new pavement. Two other grants announced after the agenda was posted will fund shoulder and safety work: $2,220,000 for County Highway 8 (Saint George Road) to add bituminous shoulders, rumble strips and new pavement markings for about 9.5 miles, and $2,205,200 for County Highway 53 east of Saint Anne for similar work over roughly 10.5 miles. County speakers said IDOT does not expect a local match for those two shoulder projects.

Why it matters: the grants reduce near-term county capital costs and accelerate projects county staff said have been prioritized. Some projects (the bridges and Gertine Street) will require design and final plans before construction can begin; county staff said design work should start soon but noted the awards can be spent through 2029.

Supporting details: County leaders said the IDOT announcement came after meetings between the county chair and IDOT leadership while IDOT finalized its five-year list. Officials urged prompt design work to move projects into construction, noting the county retains responsibility for cost control if final bids exceed estimates.

Votes and formal actions: The committee approved minutes from the Sept. 11 meeting; the committee also voted to combine and approve the pays estimate (roll call recorded all ayes and the motion carried). The transcript records a roll call of affirmative votes for the pays estimate and for the other procedural motions.

Outlook: County staff said they will begin design work and bring required engineering plans to future committee meetings. Officials set no construction start dates at the Oct. 16 meeting.