The Village of Tilton is holding a public hearing Wednesday on a proposal to seek federal funds to help modernize the Interstate 74 interchange at G Street. The hearing will begin at 6:00 p.m. Wednesday (July 21, 2021) at the Village of Tilton Community Center at 612 West Fifth Street in Tilton.
The Village wants to lengthen the east and westbound off ramps from the interstate, add a westbound lane along Interstate 74 from U.S. Route 150/ Illinois Route 1 to G Street, and increase the clearance for G Street under the interstate from 14 to 16 feet.
Another part of the proposal calls for extending G Street 500 feet to the north in order to provide access to future economic development. It is in the area where the former General Motors Central Foundry plant was located.
The Village would request $1-million dollars in Community Development Block Grant money, and would also expend approximately $200,000 in non-CDBG funds for the project.
The Village of Tilton notes there have been no design improvements to the G Street interchange since it was originally built 60 years ago. It says the community’s needs have significantly changed and modernization is long overdue.
In addition to providing necessary safety improvements, the project would allow for economic development of the 90-acre G Street Industrial Site north of the exit. The owner of a 70-acre parcel is proposing an 8 acre travel plaza and truck stop. Another 55 acres are available for industrial jobs. There is already a 4-acre ready-mix concrete plant in the area, and another is being built.
