Drivers through Knox County may have to share the road with some slower vehicles.
The County Board on Wednesday night may approve an ordinance that would allow golf carts and other non-highway vehicles to operate on county roads.
According to board documents, Sheriff David Clague presented the Sheriff’s committee with a draft of an ordinance that would allow these types of vehicles on the road. Minutes from the committee indicated that the Sheriff believed it was a good revenue source for the county and would be good for public relations.
The ordinance would restrict people under the age of 10 from riding these vehicles on county roads. Non-highway vehicles operating on a County or township road at any time between one-half hour before sunset and one-half hour after sunrise must be equipped with operating headlamps and tail lamps.
Vehicles would be required to have working brakes, headlights, tail lamps, brake lights, and turn signals, and require they have rearview mirrors and seatbelts as well. In addition to the safety equipment, an annual $100 permit would be required by the county and insurance would be needed.
The county board will also consider approving an amendment to an agreement made between the Illinois Commerce Commission and the county for funding a bridge rehab project that is slated to get started this fall.
A report from the Highway Department in the Knox County Board’s documents indicates that Brandt Construction will start on the project in the fall, once all the clearances have been made from BNSF Railroad.
The county approved a joint funding agreement back in February for the rehabilitation of the County 10 Bridge. At the time, the estimated cost for the project was just shy of $2.778 million.
However, the low bid submitted in April was for over five million dollars. That left a $2.253 million shortfall in the project.
Board documents indicate that the Grade Crossing Protection Funds from the ICC will cover a flat two million dollars and the County will be responsible for picking up the remaining $253,097.
The board will be busy and also consider several approvals for the jail rehabilitation project as well as the County’s tax levy and budget for the fiscal year 2022/23.
The Knox County Board meets at 6:00 Wednesday night at the Galesburg City Council Chambers.