County receives funding for roads improvement, financial assistance for watershed improvement

From press releases

Winnebago County Board Chairman Scott Christiansen (R) announced Winnebago County has received Economic Development Program (EDP) funds of up to $335,400 from the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) to help offset the cost of improving Alworth/Kelly/Winnebago roads from south of Kelly Road to Cunningham Road. These funds are in addition to the $135,000 Truck Access Route Program funds previously programmed by IDOT for this project.

The project, which is scheduled to be constructed during the construction season of 2011, will upgrade the road to “all weather,” Class II Highway status that won’t have to be posted during the spring thaws.

It is anticipated that this project will allow for the retention of seven jobs and the creation of three to four new jobs to the region.

Christiansen also announced Winnebago County has been notified it will receive a $100,770 grant from the Clean Water Act Section 319(h) Financial Assistance fund through the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.

This grant will be used to help offset the cost of preparing a Water Shed Improvement Plan for the Welworth/Wentworth and Madigan Creek drainage basins.

Winnebago County, through its Highway Department, acted as the lead agency in applying for the grant, in cooperation with a regional steering committee composed of area agencies and residents.

The plan is scheduled to be completed in 2013. It is anticipated this grant will be the first step toward identifying solutions and projects that will improve the water quality for these basins, which will also lower the risk of flooding.