BACKGROUND:

Proposed improvements for the US Route 14 and Wilke Road intersection include double left turn bays for northbound Wilke Rd to west bound Northwest Hwy, as well as updated pedestrian crossing improvements.  The intersection upgrade will provide a more efficient movement of traffic. These improvements require temporary and permanent easements from several property owners. All temporary easements have previously been agreed to by the respective property owners and were presented to the Village Board for formal approval in October, 2014.

The preliminary design of the intersection improvements requires need for a larger permanent easement from Union Pacific Railroad. This preliminary permanent easement was appraised at $121,000. After review of the improvements with the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), Union Pacific Railroad, and the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC), the design was modified to reduce the width necessary for the permanent easement from Union Pacific Railroad.  This modified alignment was agreed to by all parties and formally approved by the ICC earlier this year.  Since that approval by the ICC, IDOT has been negotiating the cost of the Union Pacific Railroad permanent easement. The final offer of $66,000 was approved by IDOT and an “Order Fixing Preliminary Just Compensation” was filed with the Circuit Court of Cook County on November 6, 2014. As part of the order, the Village of Arlington Heights is required by IDOT to deposit a check in the amount of $66,000, which is the amount constituting preliminary just compensation, with the Cook County Treasurer. This final offer is $55,000 less than the original appraised value of the easement.  

RECOMMENDATION:

It is recommended that the Village Board authorize the disbursement of $66,000 to be deposited with the Cook County Treasurer. Funding for this project is available in account 401-5001-571-50.30  SG0802.