HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 51-R-25, Authorizing a Grant Application to the Illinois Department of Transportations Local Project Funding Program to Support Sheridan Road Corridor Improvements
5/27/2025
51-R-25
A RESOLUTION
AUTHORIZING A GRANT APPLICATION TO THE ILLINOIS
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION’S LOCAL PROJECT FUNDING
PROGRAM TO SUPPORT SHERIDAN ROAD CORRIDOR PHASE I AND II
ENGINEERING.
WHEREAS, the City of Evanston is committed to enhancing the safety,
accessibility, and sustainability of its transportation infrastructure in coordination with
regional and local partners; and
WHEREAS, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), through its
Local Project Funding Program authorized by Public Act 103-0589, offers grant funding
opportunities to support local transportation priorities including complete streets
initiatives, safety enhancements, and connectivity improvements; and
WHEREAS, the City of Evanston, along the shared municipal border with
the City of Chicago, is initiating corridor improvement planning along Sheridan Road, a
critical transportation link adjacent to Lake Michigan that supports both local and regional
travel and presents opportunities to enhance multimodal access for pedestrians and
cyclists; and
WHEREAS, the proposed project includes comprehensive corridor
improvements, including the reconstruction of Sheridan Road and South Boulevard,
rebuilding shoreline revetment infrastructure to improve resilience, replacing guardrails,
upgrading street lighting and traffic signals to current standards, evaluating a road diet to
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51-R-25
enhance the corridor's efficiency and multimodal compatibility, and constructing a new
multi-use trail to support safe and inclusive transportation options for people of all ages
and abilities; and
WHEREAS, this project directly serves neighborhoods identified for equity-
focused investment, including Census Tract 8100 in Evanston (an Area of Persistent
Poverty) and Census Tract 101 in Chicago (a Historically Disadvantaged Community),
and therefore supports long-term regional goals for equitable mobility and access; and
WHEREAS, the City seeks to apply for grant funding in the amount of $3.5
million, with no local match required, to support Phase I and Phase II engineering and
other associated project costs to advance this critical regional transportation initiative; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds it in the City’s best interests to seek
external grant funding support from IDOT to accelerate the development and
implementation of multimodal improvements along this corridor.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF EVANSTON, COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS:
SECTION 1: The foregoing recitals are incorporated herein by reference as
though fully restated.
SECTION 2: City staff is hereby authorized to submit a grant application to
the Illinois Department of Transportation’s Local Project Funding Program for $3.5 million
to support Phase I and Phase II engineering and other eligible expenses related to the
Sheridan Road and South Boulevard corridor improvement project.
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51-R-25
SECTION 3: That this Resolution 51-R-25 shall be in full force and effect
from and after its passage and approval in the manner provided by law.
_______________________________
Daniel Biss, Mayor
Attest:
_______________________________
Stephanie Mendoza, City Clerk
Adopted: __________________, 2025
Approved as to form:
_______________________________
Alexandra B. Ruggie, Corporation
Counsel
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