Executive Committee Approves Amended Houbolt Bridge Agreement to Settle Litigation

Article Summary: The Will County Executive Committee has approved an amendment to the Houbolt Road Toll Bridge agreement, formalizing a settlement between the bridge operators and the City of Joliet. The updated pact aims to preserve the bridge’s toll revenue by restricting truck access on nearby roads.

Houbolt Bridge Agreement Key Points:

• The amendment resolves litigation over potential truck access on Millsdale Road from Route 53.

• A cul-de-sac will be built on Millsdale Road to ensure heavy truck traffic uses the toll bridge to access the CenterPoint Intermodal Center.

• Will County’s financial and construction obligations remain unchanged, but its approval was required as a party to the original 2016 agreement.

JOLIET, IL – The Will County Board Executive Committee on Thursday approved an amendment to a 2016 agreement concerning the Houbolt Road Toll Bridge, a move that solidifies a settlement in a long-running legal dispute between the bridge’s private operator and the City of Joliet.

The amendment to the Memorandum of Understanding with United Bridge Partners, the successor to the original developer, primarily addresses truck traffic flow around the CenterPoint Intermodal properties. The original 2016 agreement between the county, the city, IDOT, and CenterPoint supported the construction of the privately funded toll bridge to alleviate truck congestion on Route 53 and I-80.

Litigation began after discussions arose about allowing truck access to the area via Millsdale Road, which would create a free alternative to the toll bridge. Bridge operators argued this would siphon off traffic and revenue needed to pay off the nearly $200 million construction debt.

Scott Pyles, representing the county, explained that the settlement will result in the construction of a cul-de-sac on Millsdale Road. “[It will] kind of close that road off and it’s going to make sure that there is truck traffic going on the toll bridge, which is in our interest to an extent because we receive revenue from the tolls,” Pyles said.

Will County receives a small portion of the toll revenue, estimated at $10,000 to $15,000 annually. Although the county has no new financial or construction responsibilities under the amended agreement, its consent was required as an original signatory. The committee approved the resolution unanimously.