Villa Park Review
September
24, 2008
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Village board approves contract
for railroad fencing by Lawerence
W. Synett Village officials recently took
another step forward in the prevention of possibly fatal incidents near Villa
Park's railroad tracks with the approval of a contract that will allow for
the installation of more vandal-resistant fencing. During Monday night's board
meeting, the village board unanimously approved a contract with Peerless
Fence Company of West Chicago, in the amount of $110,005, for the
installation of fencing from Addison Road east to Ardmore Avenue. After Lombard teenager Kristen
Bowen was killed in February of 2006 while trying to cross the railroad
tracks near North Terrace Park, located at 300 N. Westmore
Ave., the village installed railroad safety fencing along the Union Pacific
Railroad tracks west of Addison road near the park. Union Pacific covered all costs
for the installation of that fencing. Spearheaded by Villa Park Village
President Joyce Stupegia, village officials went on
to form the President's Committee on Public Safety, in an effort to raise funds and educate children and adults about railroad
safety. The total project cost incudes the removal of the existing fencing and the
installation of 2,530 feet of new fencing. The village has already received
$30,000 in funding from Illinois state Rep. Dennis Reboletti
(R-46th District) and another $30,000 in funding from Illinois state Rep. Bob
Biggins (R-41st District). Other funding, including $9,000
from the public safety committee, and $10,000 from DuPage
County School District 45, are also being considered. The village is hopeful that Union
Pacific will cover the remaining balance of the funding for the fencing. Villa Park Village Manager Bob Niemann stated he is hopeful that all funding will be
finalized this week, and that the installation of the fencing could be
finished by winter. |