A project to reconstruct Galena Road is entering the second phase, but it’s still far from being complete.
The Illinois Department of Transportation’s plan will keep the road on its existing alignment, widening it on some sections. The reconstruction will address deteriorating pavement, drainage issues and add a bicycle path that connects to an existing network at Eureka Street.
Karen Dvorsky, program development engineer with the Illinois Department of Transportation, says phase one of the project consisted of developing the plan and soliciting public comment.
She said the department has already spoken with homeowners, the park district, utility companies, railroads, municipalities and elected officials to get feedback.
Phase two, which will take approximately two years, includes land acquisition. There are eight homes the department will have to purchase.
“So some of the homes are because we couldn't get driveway access,” she said. “There was a couple with the path that was too close to their front door and they couldn't back out of their driveway. So that's not a safe thing, so we have to take the home for that reason. So, but it's just a variety of reasons why.”
Dvorsky said the homeowners will be paid the market value of their homes and relocation costs. IDOT can also help homeowners find new property to relocate to.
She said the department does have eminent domain authority. That gives the state the authority to take private property for public use, as long as the state pays for the land.
“So if it comes to that, we don't like to do that,” she said. “And the district is pretty successful in settling, in coming to agreement with most of our purchases, but there are occasions where we do have to go to court.”
The project is funded by $64.5 million in federal dollars, so they have to follow federal regulations. She said the next step is getting federal approval of the phase one study. Then they can start land acquisition.
Phase three will include construction and will last approximately two years. The earliest expected construction start is the summer of 2027.
The historic Grand View Drive Pavilion will be moved as part of the reconstruction project.
Michael Friberg, land manager for the Peoria Park District, says the pavilion is located on a part of Grand View Drive Park they call “the narrows.” He said in order to add the bicycle path, the pavilion has to be moved.
“The pavilion has a bad foundation on it, and we've done a lot of repairs on it, and it's still settling,” he said. “So we were kind of happy that IDOT was willing to pay to move it and build us a new foundation and get us away from the traffic noise.”
Friberg said they’ve hired a contractor that specializes in moving historic structures, including a three story brick building in Chicago.
“And I'm like, man, if they can move that thing down the street in Chicago, they can probably move this,” he said. “So we got them in, they took a look at it, and they said ‘yeah, we can do it.’ So all the plans so far, we've sent the idea to the State Historic Preservation Office, and they agreed.”
He said they have to follow state regulations to move the structure. He anticipates most of 2025 will be used to figure out the agreement with IDOT, with the project starting in 2026.
Friberg said they don’t know yet how much it will cost.
