County Ups Commitment for Road Work

By Randy Pierce

Madison County has made an additional commitment toward the upgrading of Lebanon Road in Collinsville Township, agreeing not only to finance its previously pledged share for the project but consenting to provide additional funding if necessary.

At the most recent meeting of the Madison County Board, a resolution that was approved unanimously offers further support for the reconstructing of Lebanon Road over the CSX Railroad tracks in the easternmost part of Collinsville Township.

The section to be improved as a result of a partnership involving the county, the township and the Illinois Department of Transportation, goes from two-tenths of a mile east of Clay School Road to a point a half-mile west of Longhi Road.  

The project, toward which the county had previously designated $2 million from its bridge fund, will consist of right-of-way acquisition, utility relocation as necessary, work where Lebanon Road crosses the railroad and reconstruction of the roadway surface.

The resolution approved by the county board states that along with financing the committed share, the county will, if needed, pass another resolution to appropriate the money required to finish the project. 

The source of this money is the county’s motor fuel tax fund which is paid on the purchase of gasoline at the pump by consumers and is regulated by the Illinois Highway Code with the restriction that it only be used for expenses related to transportation improvements or roadway maintenance. 

The legislation was recommended by the county board’s transportation committee consisting of Bobby Ross of St. Jacob, Ryan Kneedler of Collinsville, Mike Walters of Godfrey, Chris Hankins of Pontoon Beach, Matt King of East Alton, Michael “Doc” Holliday Sr. of Alton, Judy Kuhn of Trenton and Mick Madison of Bethalto.