Burnham underpass lights to be installed this summer

LANSING | Village officials hope work will take place this summer on a long-desired project — the installation of lights on Burnham Avenue under Interstate 80/94.

The Village Board on Tuesday voted 6-0 to award a contract to City Lights Ltd., of Chicago Ridge, for the work. City Lights' bid of $86,435 was the lowest of five received.

Village Engineer Jeff Pintar said there is at least a six-week lag between when the contract is awarded and when supplies and materials for the project are ordered by the contractor. Pintar said village officials hope work will begin about July 1 and that the project could take between four and six weeks to complete.

During the project, there might be some shifting of traffic, but Pintar said it is unlikely Burnham Avenue would have to be closed altogether.

The underpass was created three years ago when the state rebuilt and widened I-80/94. It created a lengthy underpass on Burnham Avenue between Bernice Avenue and 175th Street.

Many residents have said the underpass is hazardous to walk through. They think the dark conditions creates a place where they are vulnerable to muggers.

Village officials have said lighting was not installed at the time because state officials didn't consider the underpass to be a part of state jurisdiction. But Transportation Department officials had to review local desires to install lights because of its proximity to the highway.

Money for the project came from Cook County's Community Development Block Grant program. The village applied for the funds in 2010, and they were received for this year's construction season.

In other business, the Village Board approved a five-year agreement by which the village will rebate to Ridgeway Chevrolet, 17730 Torrence Ave., a portion of sales taxes received from auto sales.

The deal is part of a plan to help the auto dealer pay for an upgrade of its facilities that is required by Chevrolet if the dealership wishes to keep its corporate affiliation.

Also, the board approved an ordinance allowing Nancy O'Neill to operate an art studio and teach classes in a residential neighborhood at 18420 Wentworth Ave.