The Marseilles City Council is trying again to get an Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program grant again with help from the North Central Illinois Council of Governments. The grant would be used to make $2.7 million in improvements on Main Street with new curbs, gutters, and sidewalks. It would also make the street more handicap accessible so people could get into the businesses. It would start at U.S 6 and go all the way down to Commercial Street. City Engineer Mike Etscheid says the plan could also include a bike path that would connect to the I&M Canal trail.
One resident at the meeting says she’s not sure if the bike path is necessary because of people walking downtown but Mayor Jim Hollenbeck says it gives the city a better chance of getting the grant. Hollenbeck says the city has applied multiple times but hasn’t gotten it yet. The city has until September 30th to apply. It would cover up to 80% of the costs. The city would have to match $600,000 for the project. At the same time, Hollenbeck says the city is still considered a distressed community so they might not have to match anything possibly.
City Engineer Mike Etscheid explains the Illinois Transportation Enhancement grant plan to residents at Wednesday’s meeting.