LaSalle County Highway Engineer Don Ernat presented six years worth of highway plans to the County Board this week. They’re actually in two parts: a one year plan for things nearly certain to be done in the next year and a five-year plan for things that could happen through 2027.
Some things in the long range plan may not get done because of other issues. A few years ago, the highway department planned to realign Dee Bennett Rd. in the area of Starved Rock Lock and Dam, but that was found not to be feasible.
Ernat says heavily traveled roads get more repairs and lesser traveled roads get more treatments to make the surfaces last longer. The plan covers about 244 miles and includes 17 culvert and bridge replacements.