City of Blue Island Think Outside the Loop
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Contact:
Erik Alvarez, PE
Robinson Engineering
708.225.8217
ealvarez@reltd.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
The City of Blue Island receives CDBG grant for street improvements on 119th Place
Blue Island, IL (January 19, 2021) – The City received a $310,000 grant from the Cook County Department of Planning and Development’s CDBG program. The grant funds will be used for street improvements at 119th Place between Irving Avenue and the 119th Street Metra Station.
The proposed 119th Place project will improve the roadway pavement and improve accessibility for residents by modernizing and repairing pedestrian facilities. Improvements in roadway pavement and signage will improve safety for both vehicles and pedestrians.
Restoration of the work area will provide a double benefit of improving the areas aesthetic appeal as well as improving the environment for City residents by planting street trees to capture and filter storm water and improve air quality.
Mayor Domingo Vargas says, “This project will provide a double benefit of improving the areas aesthetic appeal as well as improving the environment for City residents by planting street trees to capture and filter storm water and improve air quality. This goes along with Think BIGG (Blue Island Going Green) initiative.”
The project entails the removal and replacement of existing deteriorated asphalt roadway; repair of existing damaged or deteriorated curbing, gutters, and sidewalk; repair of all drainage structures in the project area and restoration of areas including planting trees to improve storm water drainage and improve air quality. It will also include handicap ramps where needed.
Additionally, the project has green infrastructure elements, leveraging grant funding from a separate project being coordinated with the City of Blue Island and the MWRD, which involves constructing a new bioswale and green alley along 119th Place.
Construction of the roadway project is expected to begin this spring and will be completed in the Fall of 2021. Robinson Engineering, Ltd. assisted the City in securing $310,000 in grant funding from Community Development Block Grant Program.
About the City of Blue Island:
Blue Island is a city in Cook County, Illinois, located approximately 16 miles south of Chicago’s Loop. Set on the southern edge of an ancient glacial ridge, Blue Island was settled in 1835, making it one of the oldest communities in Cook County. According to the 2010 United States Census, the City has a population of 23,112. For more information about this project and the City of Blue Island, contact Mark Miller, mmillier@cityofblueisland.org.
About Robinson Engineering Ltd.:
Robinson Engineering is a civil engineering design firm with specialties in municipal, transportation, water/wastewater system design & operations, construction observation, stormwater management, environmental, and land surveying. Robinson serves over 60 Chicagoland communities as their appointed village/city engineers, including 28 continuously for over 50 years. Visit www.reltd.com for more about Robinson Engineering’s services, projects, municipal expertise, and commitment to local communities. For technical questions about the project contact Erik Alvarez at 708.225.8217 or email ealvarez@reltd.com
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