Village Inks Pact with County for Roadway Improvements

Village trustees voted Wednesday on an amended intergovernmental agreement with Will County to fund intersection improvements at Weber Road and Gaskin Drive in a move that will pave the way for a larger project to widen Weber from Renwick to Airport Road.

A at the northeast corner of Weber and Renwick hinges on completion of the road work, which will make Weber a six-lane highway.

The Weber/Gaskin portion of the project will cost the village $1,956,250, to be paid in three installments: $489,062.50 scheduled to be paid once a contract is awarded, another $489,062.50 when the work is 50 percent completed and the last $978,125 once it’s finished.

If the project goes over budget, the village would also be responsible for paying any additional costs by making minimum payments of $75,000 per year until the work is paid off.

The updated agreement changes the village’s payment schedule; a previous pact required Romeoville to pay 95 percent of the cost up front and the last 5 percent after work is completed.

Meijer is also on the hook to pay for a share of the Weber Road improvements. As part of its annexation agreement, the company has pledged to contribute $2 million.

According to Vogel, the agreement requires Meijer to pay up even if the company were to decide to back out of building in Romeoville.

Village Manager Steve Gulden said the project could go out for bid as early as August or September, thanks to new "quick take" legislation that is helping the county acquire the right-of-way on numerous properties necessary to complete the work.