Costs Up for Brookmont Bridge Replacement

The proposed Brookmont Boulevard Viaduct replacement project was discussed at this week’s Kankakee City Budget Committee meeting.  The committee heard from engineers that estimated costs have increased, and the replacement that was expected to top out at 30 million dollars in 2008, will now need an anticipated 35 million dollars to complete.  Much of the increased cost will be for rain water drainage that would require the purchase of land for a retention pond feeding a 76 inch pipe running to soldier creek to ensure water stays out of the often flooded underpass.  One idea discussed was scrapping the whole plan and making just necessary repairs at a cost of 300 to 500 thousand dollars.   Mayor Chris Curtis says the railroad overpass is sound, it’s just not pretty.  No decisions were made.