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Grasso calls bridge plan a big deal for Burr Ridge
Planned enhancements to the County Line Road bridge over Interstate 55 include brick columns that bear the Burr Ridge logo, landscaping and statues (depicted in the background) welcoming motorists to the village. | Hitchcock Design Group
Updated: December 3, 2012 1:34AM
BURR RIDGE — Mayor Gary Grasso called the plan to rebuild and beautify the bridge over Interstate 55 the second best thing ever to happen to the village.
“It’s the gateway to our village. I think it’s a great project,” said Grasso, who said only the construction of the Burr Ridge Village Center has had a bigger impact.
Trustees this week approved final engineering and landscaping plans for the County Line Road overpass, which will be funded through a state grant. Burr Ridge will pay its 20 percent of the 80-20 grant solely through hotel motel taxes, Village Administrator Steve Stricker said.
The $1.29 million plan approved by Monday is scaled back from the $1.8 million plan originally put before the board. Two $150,000 statues were removed from the plan, accounting for a majority of the savings.
The bridge project, which is set to begin in winter 2013, will include four masonry columns bearing the Burr Ridge logo and terraced landscaping at the four corners of the interchange.
The Illinois Department of Transportation has yet to approve signs for the terrace walls and the bridge itself, but Grasso said he and others are aggressively seeking approval.
“I’m going to make it my cause,” Grasso said.
The project has the written support of the village’s business community, including the Hotel Marketing Committee, which has agreed to set aside $15,000 annually to cover any unexpected maintenance costs.
The village’s portion of the project is estimated at $260,000, with the state picking up the other $1 million. That cost, as well as ongoing maintenance of the landscaping, estimated at $20,000 annually, will be paid for with hotel motel taxes.
“No village tax dollars are being used for this project and never will,” Stricker said.
If all stays on schedule, the project is set for completion in fall 2014.
