City commissioner Dan Decker said he wants to hear from the community about whether Summit Road should be extended.

City council members listened to the latest developments regarding the Summit Road extension project at the July 29 city council meeting.

During a public meeting in late May, only a handful of people — mostly opposed residents who live on Summit — attended.

Despite Summit Road residents’ opposition, Washington city administrator Bob Morris said Washington city leaders still want the project to go through, and all parties are still working on moving forward.

If extended, Summit Road would connect from Illinois Route 8/Washington Road in Sunnyland to Centennial Drive and U.S. Route 24 in Washington.

The Summit Road extension project has been discussed by city leaders in East Peoria and Washington for two decades, said East Peoria city administrator Tom Brimberry.

An engineer’s estimate in 2003 said the city of East Peoria’s portion of the project cost totaled $500,000. Now, with the increasing cost of asphalt and oil, that figure is estimated at $1.2 million.

East Peoria’s expenditures for the project would be spread over two years.

“We find it difficult to recommend proceeding with the project ... when we have so many other needs for our residential streets,” Brimberry said.

Under the new cost estimates, the total project cost is $2.4 million, with the Peoria/Pekin Urbanized Area Transportation Study committed to paying $1.2 million.

East Peoria city leaders met with Washington and Tazewell County officials recently to try to secure more funding for the project.

As of last week, other commitments for the project are:
• Tazewell County — $125,000 and an undetermined but possible allocation of construction engineering, perhaps 50 percent of $100,000, which totals $175,000
• Washington Township — $50,000
• City of Washington — $175,000, plus savings of $125,000 in storm water work that would otherwise be done, totaling $300,000.

These financial commitments total 20 percent for Washington, 3 percent for Washington Township, 12 percent for Tazewell County and 66 percent for East Peoria.

“We’re very pleased they’ve made offers of financial support. It’s not the degree we requested, but it’s a financial commitment on all their parts,” Brimberry said.

Brimberry said a proposal for each entity that would benefit from the road extension to pay one-third of the project’s cost was rejected.

“We’re looking to your guidance if this should be a city priority,” public works director Steve Ferguson told the city council.

Streets supervisor Rick Semonski, who has been heavily involved in the legwork of the project, said he would anticipate a June bid letting for the project. He added the city needs to give the Illinois Department of Transportation an answer soon, as there are still some easements to acquire.

City commissioner Tim Jeffers asked if there was any way to cut design costs.

“We’ve looked at every possible angle,” Semonski said.
Ultimately, whether the road is extended is up to the East Peoria City Council.

Specifically, Brimberry said the Summit extension would benefit Illinois Central College, Washington, East Peoria, Tazewell County and Sunnyland Plaza.

ICC president Dr. John Erwin contacted East Peoria mayor Dave Mingus about the regional importance of the extension.

The road extension would provide a more direct route for Illinois Central College students coming from Sunnyland, Morton or other areas on the south side of Centennial, Brimberry said.

“Hearing that ICC is in favor of this is very important to me,” said Decker. “I haven’t heard residents say they’re in favor of this ... I know the Sunnyland business district is in favor of it.”

Decker said he is apprehensive about the project due to money to pay for it likely coming from the East Peoria streets repair fund.

However, Decker said, “Whenever we can get $1.2 million in free money, I’d like to find a way to do this.”

Commissioners Gary Densberger and Tim Jeffers said if East Peoria’s portion was $500,000, that would be more reasonable. Densberger said he encourages regional partners to revisit their commitments.

Mingus said he appreciates that other city leaders are stretching their budgets.

He added that if the project does not happen, the PPUATS grant will not come around for another 10 to 20 years. Semonski said 2013 would be the earliest they could reapply for the grant money, but there is a waiting list.