Will County Approves $2.9 Million Engineering Contract for Bluff Road Reconstruction in Channahon

Will County Public Works & Transportation Committee Meeting | April 7, 2026

Article Summary: The county is advancing a massive overhaul of Bluff Road in Channahon, approving a nearly $3 million Phase I and II engineering contract to prepare the corridor for full reconstruction, storm sewers, and potential retaining walls.

Bluff Road Engineering Key Points:

• The committee approved a $2,955,607 contract with Peralte-Clark, LLC.

• The project covers Bluff Road (CH 77) from the I-55 West Frontage Road to US Route 6.

• The design will convert the existing rural, ditch-lined road into an urban cross-section with curb, gutter, and storm sewers.

• The contract includes extensive geotechnical and environmental investigations due to the likelihood of encountering shallow bedrock and utility conflicts.

The Will County Board Public Works & Transportation Committee on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, unanimously approved a sweeping $2,955,607 professional services agreement with Peralte-Clark, LLC to engineer the total reconstruction of Bluff Road in Channahon.

The project targets a 5,900-foot, 1.1-mile stretch of Bluff Road (County Highway 77) between US Route 6 and the West Frontage Road of Interstate 55. Currently a two-lane major collector carrying roughly 5,850 vehicles per day, the roadway suffers from pavement deterioration, geometric deficiencies, and drainage issues.

According to the project scope detailed in the agenda packet, Peralte-Clark will guide the project through both Phase I (Preliminary & Environmental Engineering) and Phase II (Design Engineering). The ultimate goal is to convert the existing rural cross-section—characterized by aggregate shoulders and open ditches—into a modernized urban section featuring concrete curbs, gutters, and an enclosed storm sewer system.

The engineering task is highly complex due to the corridor’s specific geography. The contract includes significant subsurface investigations by subconsultants to identify areas of shallow bedrock, which could severely impact drainage design, excavation costs, and the placement of proposed retaining walls.

The Phase I study will evaluate up to four geometric alternatives, including two-lane and three-lane configurations, while also designing pedestrian and bicycle accommodations. The engineering team will also be required to navigate substantial utility conflicts, requiring a dedicated Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE) evaluation.

The $2.95 million contract will be funded through a combination of County Motor Fuel Tax, RTA Tax, Highway Tax, and Matching Tax funds. According to the preliminary schedule, Phase II design is slated for completion by March 2027, with construction potentially beginning in June 2027.