The Will County Public Works & Transportation Committee on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, approved a major construction contract and reviewed extensive plans for both county and state transportation initiatives. The committee confirmed the award of a $10.4 million contract to P.T. Ferro Construction Co. for the widening and reconstruction of Bell Road between 151st Street and Martingale Lane. For more details on this project, see the full story.

Officials also received an update on the Illinois Department of Transportation’s six-year plan, which allocates over $1.3 billion for projects in Will County through 2031. A separate article details the scope of IDOT’s planned investments. Additionally, the committee heard a promising report on the Access Will County dial-a-ride service, which is on track to provide transportation to residents in every township by 2026 as its ridership continues to break records.

New Speed Limits Approved for Frankfort and Wesley Townships
The committee approved ordinances establishing new speed limits on three township roads. In Frankfort Township, the speed limit on 78th Avenue from North Avenue south for 0.33 miles will be set at 30 MPH. In Wesley Township, a 1.88-mile stretch of Ballou Road from Illinois Route 102 to Indian Trail Road will have a new speed limit of 45 MPH. Also in Wesley Township, the speed limit on Lakewood Drive from Hamilton Street to Hintze Road will be set at 25 MPH.

Caton Farm Road Bridge Project Remains Stalled Over Funding
The long-discussed project to build a new bridge over the Des Plaines River on Caton Farm Road remains in limbo due to a lack of financial commitment from local municipalities. Director of Transportation Jeff Ronaldson explained that the project, with an estimated cost exceeding $600 million, cannot move forward without funding participation from the cities and townships the corridor passes through, including Lockport, Crest Hill, and Joliet. Federal guidelines prohibit building just the bridge without also improving the entire connecting roadway corridor.