EDWARDSVILLE – The approval of a 20-year transportation plan is among items the Madison County Board will consider at its regular meeting set for 5 p.m. Wednesday.
The plan, which covers 2023-2043, calls for almost $150 million in capital improvements.
The county is responsible or approximately 188 miles of highway and 68 structures. In addition, there are about 779 miles of road and 116 bridges on township roadways.
According to the latest inspection reports, 39 county bridges are in “excellent” shape; 130 listed as “good” shape; seven in “fair” shape; and eight in “critical” shape.
Residential development and the related need for road improvements are anticipated in the area northeast of Edwardsville to north of Troy. Those include Fruit Road, Pin Oak Road, Blackburn Road and Staunton Road. There is also expected to be an emphasis on an “I-55” development corridor.
The plan calls for $149.5 million in capital improvements over the life of the plan. Major projects include the reconstruction of Fruit Road at $17 million, widening of Troy-O’Fallon Road at $26 million; and realignment of Seiler Road from Wood Station Road to Dorsey at $20 million.
Road maintenance is expected to cost about $2.5 million annually (in 2022 dollars).
One concern highlighted is that changes must be made in highway funding policy, in part because of the advent of electric vehicles and more high-efficiency vehicles that will impact Motor Fuel Tax funds, a major source of revenue for repairs and improvements.
The 5-year plan shows approximately $57 million in planned projects through 2027.
Also expected to be approved is $15,327 I Green Schools Program grants.
Most of the grants are for $2,000, with Alton High School, East Alton-Wood River High School, East Elementary School, Highland Middle School, Mark Twain School, Meadowbrook Intermediate School, Roxana High School and St. Ambrose Catholic School receiving funding.
The board will also consider the awarding of a contract for a new refueling station for the county’s Highway Department at a cost of $501,406.47. The low bid was from United Petroleum Service out of Maryland Heights.
