County public works reports grader transmission issues, culvert work and bridge projects
September 12, 2025 | Stephenson County, Illinois
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Public works staff briefed the County Board on equipment reliability, upcoming culvert work and bridge projects and said crews will coordinate with contractors and township partners to keep projects moving.
A public works presenter said the department’s grader from about 1979–1980 is experiencing transmission issues; mechanics have it in the shop and are attempting repairs, but the presenter warned that a new grader would cost about $450,000 and that the county will know in a month or two whether replacement is required. The presenter noted townships also own graders and sometimes those assets are in concurrent use for snow removal and other needs.
On roads and culverts, the presenter said preparatory work is underway on Horse Road and that McConnell Road and Lena Road will see short-term closures as crews extend a culvert; McConnell Road was expected to close temporarily next week for work. The presenter described a Forest Road culvert job where a water main was discovered in the excavation zone; the county agreed with a contractor (Darren Stickel referenced in the meeting) that the county would install the new pipe using the contractor’s materials to keep the project on schedule; the work includes re-looping a supply line and removing the failed pipe.
The presenter said Lancaster Township Bridge work is complete and that the county plans to replace two township bridges next year under the Township Bridge Program (TBP) funding. The engineering costs for those bridge projects will come from the same fund identified for bridge work.
The public works presenter also said the department plans to buy two weather stations to record road and air temperatures and to help winter operations and anti-icing/pavement decisions; the stations are planned to be sited in the county’s northeast/west or southeast areas.
Why it matters: a failing grader and multiple culvert or bridge projects affect routine maintenance, emergency response and budget planning. The grader issue could require a large capital purchase; culvert repairs affect road closures and rights-of-way and will require coordination with utilities.
Ending: the department will monitor the grader repair estimate and report back on whether a replacement purchase is required; staff said they will continue project coordination for the McConnell Road and Forest Road culvert work and will proceed with bridge project engineering under TBP funding.
A public works presenter said the department’s grader from about 1979–1980 is experiencing transmission issues; mechanics have it in the shop and are attempting repairs, but the presenter warned that a new grader would cost about $450,000 and that the county will know in a month or two whether replacement is required. The presenter noted townships also own graders and sometimes those assets are in concurrent use for snow removal and other needs.
On roads and culverts, the presenter said preparatory work is underway on Horse Road and that McConnell Road and Lena Road will see short-term closures as crews extend a culvert; McConnell Road was expected to close temporarily next week for work. The presenter described a Forest Road culvert job where a water main was discovered in the excavation zone; the county agreed with a contractor (Darren Stickel referenced in the meeting) that the county would install the new pipe using the contractor’s materials to keep the project on schedule; the work includes re-looping a supply line and removing the failed pipe.
The presenter said Lancaster Township Bridge work is complete and that the county plans to replace two township bridges next year under the Township Bridge Program (TBP) funding. The engineering costs for those bridge projects will come from the same fund identified for bridge work.
The public works presenter also said the department plans to buy two weather stations to record road and air temperatures and to help winter operations and anti-icing/pavement decisions; the stations are planned to be sited in the county’s northeast/west or southeast areas.
Why it matters: a failing grader and multiple culvert or bridge projects affect routine maintenance, emergency response and budget planning. The grader issue could require a large capital purchase; culvert repairs affect road closures and rights-of-way and will require coordination with utilities.
Ending: the department will monitor the grader repair estimate and report back on whether a replacement purchase is required; staff said they will continue project coordination for the McConnell Road and Forest Road culvert work and will proceed with bridge project engineering under TBP funding.
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