A $2 million state grant will help spruce up a portion of downtown Galesburg. The City of Galesburg recently received a $2 million Rebuild Downtown and Main Streets grant to make improvements to Parking Lot H and the 200 block of East Simmons Street. City Engineer Aaron Gavin tells WGIL the parking lot will be reconstructed and decorative elements will be added. The improvements will include new asphalt surfacing, concrete islands, landscaping, decorative fencing, and a proposed covered parking area. The new configuration of the parking lot would eliminate two entry drives on Kellogg Street to increase pedestrian safety. An added entry drive on Simmons Street would improve vehicular circulation. The proposed covered parking area would be along the south and east sides of the parking lot. It would serve a dual purpose of providing covered parking, while allowing a sheltered area for downtown events and festivals. Improvements to Simmons Street between Kellogg and Prairie streets will al
A project to modernize traffic signal equipment is coming to Galesburg. The public will not notice any significant changes as a result of the new traffic signals, however the project will provide added efficiency and reliability for the city. The project includes a total of 12 signalized intersections along Henderson Street, and at Main and Farnham streets. City Engineer Aaron Gavin tells WGIL the signal heads themselves will not be modified and there will be no additional signals. The improvements will largely be equipment hardware upgrades or additions inside the traffic signal cabinets that control the signals or on the mast arms. One of the most significant improvements will be the addition of battery backups for signals. According to Interim City Manager Wayne Carl, "The battery backups are a pretty big deal. Right now, there are no battery backups and if a traffic signal loses power, the City Street Division has to run Stop signs out to the intersection to control traffic.