City of Benton to hold groundbreaking for roadway project | Community Spirit

BENTON, IL (KFVS) - The City of Benton will officially break ground Wednesday, September 12 on a $3,014,037 project aimed at creating jobs in the Benton Industrial Park II.

The groundbraking will be at 3:30 p.m. across from the former Mariah Boats Factory on Sugar Creek Road.

The city says the project will enhance the industrial park by improving 8,850 linear feet of road, including the following:

• Widening and reconstruction of .77 miles of Central Street/Sugar Creek Road from Rend Road to Petroff Road including curb and gutter and storm sewers
• Widening and resurfacing .86 miles of Petroff Road from Central  Street/Sugar Creek Road to 200 feet east of Iowa Street, including relocation of existing water mains
• Skylane Drive will be extended westward from Central Street/Sugar Creek Road about 1,700 linear feet, then turn southward to Rend Road 700 linear feet and includes installation of water and sewer to serve the additional lots along the proposed road

The City of Benton said they secured a $1,808,422 grant from the Economic Development Administration and a $960,631 grant from the Illinois Department of Transportation. These federal and state funds will be matched with $244,984 from the City of Benton. According to the city, E.T. Simonds Construction Company is scheduled to begin construction on Sept. 17 and is expected to be finished within 180 days.

The city said they feel with the new infrastructure of water, sewer and roads they will be able to attract new businesses to this area. They said they have obtained five new businesses in the last three years in anticipation of this road project, with two more parcels of land optioned for new businesses in the near future. Their goal is to attract more businesses, thereby increasing job opportunities. They said they have worked tirelessly for the last six years acquiring this funding for this project and they feel that this will greatly enhance the Benton/West City area.

Copyright 2012 KFVS. All rights reserved.