Normal Council backs higher cost for Towanda-Vernon intersection upgrades

Posted on October 3, 2017
Normal’s town council agreed to move extra funds from taxes to help improve the intersection or Towanda and Vernon. (WJBC file photo)

By Howard Packowitz

NORMAL – The town of Normal will be digging deeper to pay for improvements to the intersection of Towanda and Vernon which borders Bloomington.

In February, the town council voted to spend about $218,000, teaming up with Bloomington to install new traffic signals, construct a northbound right turn lane on Towanda, and make ramp improvements on all four corners to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Without discussion, the council Monday night authorized an extra $35,000 to come from motor fuel taxes.

A staff report to the council said unexpected infrastructure repairs are needed, or else there would be a drastic decrease in the life expectancy of newly-laid asphalt.

Rowe Construction is the contractor hired by the two communities.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]

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