New road plan includes Route 159 work in Collinsville (St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 5/5/12)
Illinois' new six-year highway program now includes the final phase of improvements to Illinois Route 159 in Collinsville. The $12 million project includes new lanes and resurfacing from south of Beltline Road to Johnson Street. (Read More)
Proposed I-64 interchange near O'Fallon is 'top priority' for region (Belleville News-Democrat, 5/5/2012)
Construction of a new interchange on Interstate 64 at Rieder Road may begin as soon as 2014 as part of a $59.1 million proposed project. Project leaders expect the interchange to provide better access to the interstate from Scott Air Force Base, address heavy traffic concerns in the vicinity, and be more cost-effective than a complete redesign of the Illinois 158 interchange. The project also has the potential to spark new development north of the interchange and east of O'Fallon, with proponents highlighting its role in attracting additional transportation, logistics and technology investment. (Read More)
Regional leaders postpone decision on Poplar Street Bridge ramp (St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 5/17/2012)
Metro East leaders' continuing pressure for MoDOT to retain a ramp from downtown St. Louis eastbound to the Poplar Street Bridge is having an impact. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported last week that East West Gateway Council of Governments voted to hire an outside consultant at a cost of $40,000 to determine whether the interchange can be rebuilt in a way that would satisfy both Missouri and Illinois leaders. (Read More)
Kaiser Electric continues work on $8 million water treatment plant (St. Louis Business Journal, 5/16/2012)
Kaiser Electric has begun constructing a new water treatment plant in Staunton, Ill. to be completed by February 2013. The St. Louis Business Journal reports that the plant incorporates a state-of-the-art Dissolved Air Flotation Clarification system. Expensive treatment chemicals will not be as necessary with the use of this new technology. (Read More)
Water mains to be replaced in Alton, Godfrey (The Alton Telegraph, 5/10/2012)
Over a half-mile of water mains will be replaced in Alton and Godfrey this year as Leadership Council member Illinois-American Water invests $520,000 in the upgrade project. Leaks and corrosion have caused damage in several mains which will be replaced throughout this year. Upgrades will be conducted to treatment plants, storage tanks and other assets as well. (Read More)
Belleville turns on the vacancy sign; Eckert says it's time to pursue hotel (Belleville News-Democrat, 5/12/2012)
The Belleville News-Democratreported earlier this month that a new hotel may be in Belleville's future now that Mayor Mark Eckert is seeing what he believes are improvements in the economy. Eckert cites the growth of Lindenwood University-Belleville and the number of visitors to the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows who currently stay in other neighboring communities that do have hotels as evidence that the timing may be right to pursue a hotel development for the city. (Read More)
St. Clair Square adds new stores (Belleville News-Democrat, 5/14/2012)
Ashley Stewart, a new women's fashion store, has opened at St. Clair Square in Fairview Heights, and additional retailers, such as Torrid and Pink by Victoria's Secret, are coming to the mall too, according to the Belleville News Democrat. The new arrivals come on the heels of recent expansions by American Eagle Outfitters and Zumiez at the popular shopping destination. (Read More)
Water park hopes to make splash with upgrades (The Telegraph, 5/17/20120
Raging Rivers Water Park in Grafton, Illinois, will open this month following $250,000 in capital improvements made during the off season. The work includes building a new pavilion for weddings and other events, upgrading an existing attraction and other amenities. The Alton Telegraph reports that the final touches are under way and will be showcased when the park opens for its 23rd season at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 26.
Lukas Athletics Annex at SIUE nears completion (St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 5/18/2012)
Leadership Council member Contegra Construction is wrapping up work on the $4.75 million Lukas Athletics Annex at SIU-Edwardsville. The Post-Dispatch reports that more than 31,000 square feet of office and multipurpose space will be added to the school's existing Vadalabene Athletics Center. The Annex is scheduled to open in August. (Read More)
East St. Louis health clinic gets $500,000 grant for makeover (St. Louis Business Journal, 5/18/2012)
The Southern Illinois Healthcare Foundation, also a Leadership Council member, announced plans to improve its East St. Louis clinic, the Windsor Health Center, after receiving a $500,000 grant from the Department of Health and Human Services. They will add space for prenatal and HIV services, replace the HVAC system, and improve the parking lot. The upgrades are expected to be completed in 2014. (Read More)
