Development News for Morton, Illinois

Council Approves Local Match for Main Street Multi-Use Path Project

The council discussed and approved a resolution authorizing a local match to a federal proposal for a Main Street multi-use path. This path will be 10 feet wide and located on the west side of Main Street from Courtland to Nebraska. The project aims to integrate with existing overlay patching projects and has identified a location on private property just off the rideway, near power poles. Challenges with the location being off the right-of-way were noted, but it's considered the most logical spot. The application is being submitted for PUATS and TA funding, with the local match being a minimum of $160,000. Coordination with IDA for underpass passage is ongoing. The path will cross the G&D driveway, which is expected to be manageable due to existing truck route diversions. Improvements will be made from the back of the trail to the edge of the pavement, including ditch-to-pipe conversion. Considerations were made for a detention basin to potentially add curb and move the path south, avoiding private property acquisition. A push-button activated crossing, similar to those used for schools, is planned at Nebraska for safety, despite potential issues with traffic compliance. The project is supported by letters of recommendation from the high school, park district, and chamber of commerce.