Manhattan Township

Manhattan Township Bridge Project Saved After County Commissioner Intervenes with Forest Preserve

A critical bridge replacement project in Manhattan Township, jeopardized by a stalemate with the Will County Forest Preserve District and the potential loss of $500,000 in funding, has been saved following the intervention of a county board member.

Township officials announced Tuesday that Will County Board Member Judy Ogalla (R-Monee) successfully negotiated an agreement with the Forest Preserve, allowing the Kankakee Street Bridge project to proceed. The breakthrough resolves a dispute over an easement that had threatened to halt the long-planned construction.

The problem arose when the Forest Preserve District (WCFP) refused to allow the Township Road District to purchase a necessary easement for the new bridge unless the township also agreed to straighten a nearby creek to align with the WCFP’s 20-year plan. According to township minutes, the cost to realign the creek was “prohibited to the Township.”

With a construction letting deadline of August 31, 2025, looming, the impasse put half a million dollars in secured funding at risk.

In an effort to find a solution, Supervisor Jim Walsh and Highway Commissioner Jim Baltas recently met with a host of county officials, including County Board members Ogalla, Frankie Pretzel (R-New Lenox), and Joe VanDuyne (D-Wilmington), along with Will County Board Chief of Staff Chuck Pelkie and representatives from the county’s Department of Transportation.

Following that high-level meeting, Ogalla met directly with the WCFP and secured a deal. The agreement will allow the Road District to move forward with the bridge project as planned, and the Forest Preserve will waive any fees that might have been required for construction.

The resolution allows the township to meet its deadline and preserve the crucial state funding needed for the infrastructure project. Details on the construction timeline following the agreement are expected to be announced later.

Latest News Stories

Meeting Briefs

Manhattan Village Board Briefs

Banks Farm Development: The village board approved six separate resolutions demanding payment on letters of credit for various phases of the Banks Farm Development Villas of Prairie Trails project, covering...
Frankfort-Village-Board-Meeting-Graphic

Frankfort Board Approves New Wendy’s on Route 30 With Numerous Modifications

A new Wendy's restaurant is set to be built at the northwest corner of U.S. Route 30 and Frankfort Square Road after the Frankfort Village Board unanimously approved the project...
Frankfort-Village-Board-Meeting-Graphic

Historic Downtown Frankfort Property Granted Deck and Patio Variances

The owners of a historic mixed-use building in downtown Frankfort have received approval for six zoning variances to construct a new paver patio and a second-floor rear deck. The Frankfort...
MH 114 June 2

Manhattan School Board Approves Staff Changes, Healthcare Extension in Special Session

Manhattan School District 114's Board of Education approved several personnel changes and a healthcare extension during a special meeting Monday evening, conducting most of its business in closed session. The...
Frankfort-Village-Board-Meeting-Graphic

Frankfort Approves $1.3 Million in Bills, Including Annual Insurance Payment

The Frankfort Village Board authorized over $1.3 million in payments at its meeting Monday, with nearly half of the total amount covering the village's annual insurance premiums. Trustees unanimously approved...
Meeting Briefs

School District 114 June 2 Meeting Briefs

Staff Departures: Manhattan School District 114 accepted the resignations of Emily Corcoran and Caroline Pesa-Miller, both effective at the end of the 2025 school year. The board approved both resignations...
Meeting Briefs

Meeting Briefs: Frankfort Village Board for June 2, 2025

Wendy's Project Approved with Multiple Variances: The Village Board gave final approval for a new Wendy's restaurant at U.S. Route 30 and Frankfort Square Road. The project required a major change...
frankfort-park-district.1

Frankfort Park Board Holds Closed-Door Talks on Five Oaks HOA Dispute

The Frankfort Park District Board of Commissioners entered into a closed executive session on Tuesday, May 27, to discuss pending litigation concerning the Five Oaks Park parcel, signaling a deepening...
MH VB 5--22

Manhattan Board Changes Meeting Time, Limits Public Comment

Village moves to 5:30 p.m. start time and reduces speaking period from five to three minutes The Village of Manhattan Board of Trustees approved two ordinance changes Tuesday that will...
MH VB 5--22

Manhattan Challenges Neighboring Villages to Pop Tab Competition

Community fundraising effort for Ronald McDonald House expands to include multiple villages The Village of Manhattan has officially challenged neighboring communities to a summer-long pop tab collection competition benefiting the...
Meeting Briefs

Manhatttan Village Board Meeting Briefs

MUNICIPAL UPDATES Memorial Day Services Planned: The I Honor Banner Ceremony will take place Sunday at 10 a.m. at the Manhattan Township Building, 230 S. Wabash Street. The ceremony dedicates...
Frankfort-Township-Logo-Graphic

Frankfort Township Approves Employee Raises, Details Major Infrastructure and Service Projects

Frankfort Township employees will receive a 2.5% cost-of-living pay increase after the Board of Trustees unanimously approved the adjustment at its Monday, May 19 meeting. The move came as Supervisor...
MFPD-Logo-Fire District

Fire Station Construction Bids Due June 3, Storm Generates 40 Emergency Calls

The Manhattan Fire Protection District has received strong interest from contractors for its new fire station project, with construction bids due back June 3 and groundbreaking still targeted for July....
Frankfort-Township-Logo-Graphic

New High-End Bar ‘Ace & Vine’ Gets Green Light from Township Board

A new bar focused on high-end liquor and an extensive wine collection is one step closer to opening in Frankfort Township after the Board of Trustees voted to recommend a...
MFPD-Logo-Fire District

Fire District Maintains Strong Call Volume, Equipment Readiness

The Manhattan Fire Protection District is maintaining steady emergency response capabilities while addressing routine equipment maintenance needs across its two-station operation. Deputy Chief Dave Piper's April operational report showed continued...