Funding for the reconstruction of greek row streets is “in the mail,” and depending on whether the city receives bids that are within the estimated cost, the project could be completed before the start of fall semester.

The DeKalb City Council Monday night authorized Mayor Greg Sparrow to execute an agreement on behalf of the city with the Illinois Department of Transportation. The agreement will allow the city to receive $700,000 of Build Illinois funds to be used for the reconstruction of Hillcrest Drive from Annie Glidden Road to Normal Road and Normal Road from Hillcrest Drive to Lincoln Terrace.

According to City Manager Mark Stevens, there are two possible obstacles to completion of the project before fall. One is that the city may have to “front” the $700,000 to the contractor who does the work because there is no guarantee from the state concerning when the grant money will be forthcoming, Stevens said.

Stevens said reimbursement is usually a 30-day process, but there is no guarantee the city will get the funds that quickly.

The other problem, Stevens said, is because the state requires that bids cover the entire project, the city cannot eliminate part of the project to meet cost estimates in the event all bids exceed the estimated cost.

Stevens said that when the bids come in, if the lowest one exceeds the estimated cost of the project, the city will either have to cover the increase or postpone the project one year in order to rebid it.