Lower Construction Costs for Longmeadow Parkway Could Mean Cheaper Toll

ALGONQUIN, IL - Construction costs for the next phase of the Longmeadow Parkway came in significantly lower than what officials originally budgeted for the project, which means area residents could end up paying less to cross a proposed toll bridge along the thoroughfare.

The Kane County Board’s transportation committee approved a $13.3 million contract on Tuesday for Plote Construction to reconstruct and widen the Longmeadow Parkway from Randall Road to Karen Drive -- which ends up being $4.4 million less than originally projected, the Daily Herald reports.

Carl Schoedel, director of transportation, said if construction costs continue to come in below budget, this could translate into less money the county needs to borrow and lower toll costs, according to the Daily Herald. The toll, which is currently expected to be 75 cents are less, would be used to repay the 25 to 30 million in bonds for the project.

Even better news: the county could possibly look at doing away with the toll if costs continue to go down.

“We get closer and closer to perhaps looking at other funding options,” Schoedel said.

More via the Daily Herald and the Kane County Division of Transportation website

Photo via KDOT website

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