Council approves first phase of design for Locust Street reconstruction

Published 9:29 pm Monday, June 22, 2026

QUINCY — In a short meeting Monday, the Quincy City Council took an early step towards the city’s next major street project.

The council approved the earmarking of $2.1 million from the city’s Motor Fuel Tax funds for the design work to rebuild nearly two miles of Locust Street, from North Third to North 24th Street.

The total project cost is currently estimated at just under $7.5 million with 80% of the project cost coming from federal funds as Locust Street is a major traffic route of the city. The $2.1 million in Motor Fuel Tax funds will cover the city’s 20% portion of the construction work, around $1.34 million, as well as a maximum of $760,000 for the design engineering work.

Director of Engineering Steve Bange told the council that one of the conditions for the federal funding is the completed design portion for the project, for which the city is fully responsible. Part of the approval Monday was for $723,206 for Klingner and Associates for assistance with the design engineering.

In response to a question from Ald. Greg Fletcher, R-1, Bange said the final scope of the work will be determined during the design phase when inspections of infrastructure is conducted. While these projects often include complete reconstruction of both sanitary and storm sewers, Bange said the need for replacement will be determined by the inspections.

One thing Bange said would be included in the project was the replacement of lead water service lines that may still be remaining in the construction area.

Ald. Kelly Mays, R-3, asked when the project was expected to take place. Bange sad with all the preliminary work that has to be complete with both state and federal agencies, he expected the project to start in around two years. As noted by Mays and confirmed by Bange, this project would come well after the current Broadway reconstruction project is finished.

Another street project that was approved Monday that will see action much sooner will also save the city money over the anticipated cost.

The council approved a bid of $259,741 from Diamond Construction of Quincy for the resurfacing of North 36th Street from Broadway to just north of the Target property’s entrance.

The bid from Diamond came in just about $145,000 less than the engineering estimate of $403,966 for the project. The costs for the project are part of the city’s 2026-27 budget so that it can be completed alongside the ongoing Illinois Department of Transportation work along Broadway.

As noted in the request submitted to council members, a water main break near Raising Cane’s led to water getting in between the road’s surface and the binder-layers of asphalt, causing substantial damage to the right-most northbound lane.

In other business, the council:

•Approved Mayor Linda Moore’s appointment of Erica Brockemeier and reappointment of Megan AuBuchon each to a three-year term on the Quincy Public Library’s board of directors, as well as the appointment of Dr. Harry Ruth as an emeritus member.

•Approved a new lease for studio space in the upstairs portion of the Washington Theater with Peggy Ballard at a cost of $500 per month.

•Accepted a proposal for $13,300 from Coulter Asphalt Services for repair of concrete pavement in the Lake Ridge Subdivision.