Manhattan Approves Estimated $1.1 Million Resurfacing Project for Leighlinbridge Subdivision

Village of Manhattan Meeting | March 16, 2026

Article Summary: The Village of Manhattan approved a state resolution to secure Motor Fuel Tax funding for a major road resurfacing project targeting the Leighlinbridge Subdivision this summer.

Road Resurfacing Key Points:

• The board unanimously approved an Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) resolution for maintenance under the Illinois Highway Code.

• The 2026 project will focus exclusively on resurfacing streets within the Leighlinbridge Subdivision.

• The project carries an estimated total cost of $1.1 million, funded through a mix of local and state dollars.

• Specific streets slated for work include Carlow Circle, Celtic Circle, Leighlin Lane, and Ashford Street.

The Manhattan Village Board on Monday, March 16, 2026, officially greenlit the financing mechanism for its 2026 road resurfacing program, passing a resolution to utilize state Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) funds for extensive roadwork in the Leighlinbridge Subdivision.

The board unanimously approved the mandatory Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) “Resolution for Maintenance Under the Illinois Highway Code,” a required administrative step to legally authorize the expenditure of state-distributed MFT funds.

According to the engineering memo provided by Village Engineer Carrie Pintar, the 2026 resurfacing project is projected to cost an estimated $1.1 million. The village plans to utilize a $500,000 budget from its MFT reserves, paired with an estimated $600,000 from local municipal funds. The exact final figures will be determined once competitive construction bids are received and approved.

The comprehensive paving project will entirely focus on the Leighlinbridge Subdivision network. The specific roadways scheduled to be milled and resurfaced include:

• Carlow Circle West (Celtic Circle to Ashford Street)

• Carlow Circle East (Ashford Street to Celtic Circle)

• Celtic Circle (Ashford Street to Ashford Street)

• Leighlin Lane (Carlow Circle to Gougar Road)

• Ashford Street (Celtic Circle to Sweedler Road)

Engineering costs for the project will follow standard IDOT rates, with preliminary design engineering accounting for 5% of the construction cost, and construction observation and material testing accounting for 6%.

The resolution passed smoothly via a unanimous roll call vote without debate.