CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Adopt the resolution approving the local-public agency agreement with the Illinois Department of Transportation for the construction engineering services and construction of North Aurora Road Underpass at the CN Railroad (CIP Project #BR005) (Item 1 of 3)
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DEPARTMENT: Transportation, Engineering and Development
SUBMITTED BY: William J. Novack, P.E., Director of Transportation, Engineering and Development/City Engineer
BOARD/COMMISSION REVIEW:
N/A
BACKGROUND:
The other related items to the North Aurora Road Underpass at the CN Railroad project on the City Council agenda are:
• 24-1452, Adopt a resolution to appropriate funds for the construction services of the North Aurora Road Underpass at the CN Railroad project (Item 2 of 3)
• 24-1425, Adopt an IDOT resolution in the amount of $2,000,000 to allow the expenditure of State Rebuild Illinois dollars to fund the local share of the improvements to North Aurora Road Underpass at the CN Railroad project (3 of 3)
North Aurora Road is a minor arterial road with an average daily traffic of approximately 22,000 vehicles. It functions as a primary connection between the cities of Naperville and Aurora as well as providing access to numerous businesses, two subdivisions, and the Route 59 Metra station.
With the North Aurora Road widening between Frontenac Road and Fairway Drive (CIP Project #SC033) completed in 2023, the section of North Aurora Road between Pennsbury Lane (±1,500 feet west of the WCL Railroad in Aurora) and Frontenac Road (±900 feet east of the WCL Railroad in Naperville) is the only remaining section of this roadway with a single lane in each direction. The single lane stretches for several miles to the east and west and creates a bottleneck. The total length of this roadway segment (Pennsbury Lane to Frontenac Road) is approximately 0.42 miles.
The City of Aurora and Naperville Township have jurisdiction of North Aurora Road west of the railroad underpass and the City of Naperville has jurisdiction of North Aurora Road east of the railroad underpass. The existing traffic exceeds the capacity of the current roadway and over the next 20 years, traffic volume is expected to reach nearly 30,000 vehicles per day. In 2024, the City of Naperville, City of Aurora, and Naperville Township Road District completed final engineering to develop a design for widening the railroad bridge and North Aurora Road roadway between Frontenac Drive and Fairway Drive.
This project will reconstruct and widen the existing two-lane railroad bridge to accommodate five lanes; specifically, two lanes in each direction with a median. This project will match the already widened roadway sections to the east of Frontenac Road and west of Pennsbury Lane. A five-foot wide sidewalk will be constructed along the north side of the roadway and an eight-foot shared-use path will be constructed along the south side of the road throughout the project limits.
On March 7, 2025, IDOT will open bids for the construction of the North Aurora Road Underpass project. Construction is expected to begin in spring of 2025.
DISCUSSION:
Local-Public Agency Agreement with IDOT
A joint City-State agreement is required when local agencies are involved in projects that are financed in whole or in part with State and/or Federal funds. A joint City-State agreement was submitted for IDOT’s review/approval in June 2024 which was prior to the project receiving additional federal funding. Following approval of the joint City-State agreement, an amendment to the agreement will be submitted to include the additional federal funding allocated to the project. This additional federal funding will reduce the local public agency amount by approximately $1,000,000. Staff recommends approval of this local-public agency agreement with the Illinois Department of Transportation with the understanding that an amendment will be forthcoming which will account for the additional federal funding authorization.
Appropriation of Funds
One of the requirements of the intergovernmental agreement with IDOT is the local agency shall attest that sufficient monies have been appropriated or reserved by resolution or ordinance to fund the local agency share of project costs. Therefore, a resolution approving the appropriation is included as Agenda Item 24-1452.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Per the intergovernmental agreement, the City will be the lead agency for the project. The estimated construction cost for the project is $40,922,806, with the total City of Naperville responsible for $2,544,232.50, the City of Aurora responsible for $2,544,232.50, and the Naperville Township Road District responsible for $700,000 in CY2025 through CY2027. The remaining $35,134,341 will be covered by Federal and State funds.