News, Closures & Postings
JUMP TO: WEIGHT LIMITS - POSTED BRIDGES

10/2/09 END LOADER FOR SALE
The Highway Department purchased a used 1990 CAT G936 end loader that was auctioned off by the Livingston County Highway Department in Pontiac, IL.  The loader will replace the old 1962 CAT Traxcavator that Stark County was previously using.  Sealed bids to purchase the old end loader from the Highway Department will be received on or before November 13, 2009 at 10AM.  For more information or to pick up a bid packet contact the office at (309) 286-5031.

 

9/25/09 STARK COUNTY 911 ADDRESS SIGNS NOW AVAILABLE

POLICY ON PLACEMENT OF 911 ADDRESS SIGNS

Signs must be placed near the entrance on the same side of the road as the house.  If residence is near an intersection sign must be placed along the roadway to which the address corresponds.

All assigned addresses shall be displayed on a sign according to the following:

1. Double-sided
2. Highly reflective (blue background and white numbers)
3. Numbering/Lettering- minimum 3” tall
4. Mounted on mailboxes, sign-posts or poles at the driveway entrance so they are visible from the road in both directions.
5. Numbers must be displayed in a vertical format
6. Bottom of the sign must be at least 24 inches above the edge of the roadway

Costs:

1. Sign only ($15)- If you are able to mount the sign to your mailbox post or have your own post, you do not need to purchase a post
2. Sign with post ($20)- If you are unable to mount it to your mailbox or if your mailbox is on the opposite side of the street you will need to purchase a post.
3. Make checks payable to the Stark County Highway Department

Remember these guidelines are for your own benefit.  Emergency responders must be able to easily identify your location.  It will help to save lives and maybe even your own.

 

9/25/09 ATTENTION FARMERS!!!
It’s harvest time again and you’ve got grain to move.  Please keep in mind the legal weight limits on all roads and abide by them.  Also remember that wet grain will weigh more.  The roads belong to everyone so please take care of them.  As a general rule if you can see grain heaped in the wagon / trailer then it’s over the weight limit.  For more information on legal loads or how much your equipment can legally haul please contact the Highway Department at (309) 286-5031 or scrool down the page for postings and load limits

9/14/09 BRIDGE ON COUNTY HIGHWAY 23           ROAD CLOSED FOR REPLACEMENT The bridge on County Highway 23 (900 E) in Stark County will be closed from Modena Road to 1200 N for bridge construction beginning the week of 9/14/2009. It will be closed for approximately 2 months. Enclosed please find the location map. If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office.

8/26/09 WALNUT CREEK BRIDGE NOW OPEN
The Walnut Creek Bridge on West Jersey Road that has been under construction in Stark County is now opened to traffic.  Thanks to the traveling public for your patience during the construction of the new bridge.

8/7/09 HEAT WAVE - BLEEDING ROADS
With the heat wave they are calling for this weekend please be watchful for bleeding of oil & chip roads. Trucks should avoid these roads if at all possible to avoid peeling the surface and loads should be light if it is necessary to run on them. Please contact Jon Hodel at 309-361-5031 if you have any questions.

7/16/09 PATCHING COMPLETED
Pavement patching on Sharkey Highway is now completed. The road will be reopened to traffic beginning Friday 7/17. Thanks to the staff of the Highway Department and the City of Toulon in helping make this project a success.

7/8/09 ROAD CLOSURE NOTICE
The Stark County Highway Department will be doing some pavement patching on Sharkey Highway (County Highway 7) requiring the road to be closed from Township Road 1050E to Wallace Highway (County Highway 6). The work will begin Thursday July 9th and may continue into next week. If you have any questions please contact the Highway Department at 309-286-5031.

6/19/09 TAKING ORDERS FOR RURAL ADDRESS SIGNS
The Stark County Highway Department is now accepting requests for new signs to display address numbers for rural residents of Stark County who received new addresses. These signs are used to help emergency responders and parcel deliveries find your location. The cost of each sign (including a post and mounting hardware) is estimated to be no more than $20. Once a significant number of requests are received a bulk order will be placed. The signs will use white lettering with a blue back ground and mounted on a metal post. Residents will be responsible for the installation of the signs. Residents are not required to purchase a sign but it is recommended to help maintain consistency. Please call the Highway Department at (309) 286-5031 or email highway@starkco.illinois.gov and leave your name, new address, and phone number to be added to the list.

6/9/09 RURAL ADDRESS NOTIFICATIONS
Rural Address notifications have been sent out in the mail for all Stark County rural residents. New addresses will be effective beginning June 15, 2009. The Post Office will send official notification concerning your new mailing address in the near future. Anyone living in rural Stark County that did not receive a pink notification card in the mail or if you are any questions concerning new or old addresses please contact the Highway Department at (309) 286-5031.

5/22/09 ROAD CLOSURE UPDATE
The flood waters have receeded and Duncan road has been reopened to traffic.

5/15/09 SPRAY PATCHING
Spray patching to start next week- Midwest Asphalt Repair was awarded the contract to complete spray patching operations for Stark County and the City of Toulon. Work under this contract should begin sometime next week.

5/15/09 RURAL ADDRESSING
All rural addresses for Stark County have been sent to the US Postal Service for processing and should take effect sometime in June or July.

5/12/09 BRIDGE UPDATE The Walnut Creek bridge project along West Jersey Rd is progressing nicely despite some wet conditions. Contractor is on schedule for an August 30 completion. MORE PICTURES

4/17/09 ROAD POSTING UPDATE
Township Road 450E is posted at 5 Tons from IL 17 to Ham Rd. Call Goshen Township at (309) 337-5146 for more information.

4/16/09 ROAD POSTING UPDATE
Beginning Thursday April 16th weight limits on all Stark County Highways will no longer be in effect. Thanks for your cooperation and help in keeping our roads in good shape and be sure to check back with us next year beginning January 15th for up to date road posting information.

4/6/09 BRIDGE ON WEST JERSEY           ROAD CLOSED FOR REPLACEMENT The bridge on West Jersey Rd (County Highway 7) over Walnut Creek located 2 miles west of West Jersey in Stark County will be closed for replacement beginning Monday, April 13, 2009. The closure is expected to last approximately 4 to 5 months. Illinois Route 17 through LaFayette will be the desinated detour route during this time. If you have any questions please contact the Stark County Highway Department at (309) 286-5031.

3/28/09 STARK COUNTY HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT TO HOST OPEN HOUSE
Please come and see us!!! The Stark County Highway Department will be hosting an open house on Friday, April 17, 2009 at 1:00pm. The public is welcome to attend. For questions please call our office at (309) 286-5031.

3/15/09 ROAD CLOSURE UPDATE
Duncan Rd from 700E to 900E has been re-opened to traffic.

3/2/09 EMAIL UPDATE LIST NOW AVAILABLE
There is now an email update list available for you to receive immediate updates on road posting & closure information. To begin recieving these updates please send an email to jhodel@starkco.illinois.gov.

2/24/09 NEW TRUCK ARRIVES The Highway Department received a new 2009 International tandem dump truck. This truck replaces a 1990 Chevy single axle dump truck which will be put up for sale in the near future.

1/29/2009 WEST JERSEY ROAD TO BE CLOSED FOR CONSTRUCTION
Beginning sometime this spring, the West Jersey Road will be closed between IL 78 and IL 180 for replacement of the bridge over Walnut Creek. The detour route will be north to IL 17 thru LaFayette. The closure is expected to last 5 to 6 months depending upon weather conditions.

1/29/2008 RURAL ADDRESSING COMING SOON
The Stark County Highway Department has completed a complete inventory of Rural Route addresses in Stark County and has assigned new addresses that will be compatible with E9-1-1. The new addresses will be 4 to 5 digit numbers followed by the road name (ie. TR 500N) and will be used as new site addresses and mailing addresses.


Weight Limits

Legal Dimensions & Weights

LOAD LIMITS ON STARK COUNTY HIGHWAYS 

The Stark County Highway Department, in accordance with 625 ILCS 5/15-316, is allowed by ordinance to post County Highways for weight limitations of 70% of the gross legal load.  The following County Highways will be affected by these weight limits: 

WINANS RD (CH 15) from Knox Co. to IL 78
COUNTY HIGHWAY 23 (950E) from Modena Rd to IL 93
COUNTY HIGHWAY 24 (900E) from IL 17/91 to Modena Rd
N MODENA RD (CH 5) from Modena Rd to IL 93
ELMIRA RD (CH 14) from IL 93 to W Osceola Rd
W OSCEOLA RD (CH 8) from Bureau Co. to Osceola
E OSCEOLA RD (CH 20) from Osceola to IL 40
N OSCEOLA RD (CH 12) from Osceola to Bureau Co.
N BRADFORD RD (CH 16) from Bradford to Lombardville
N CASTLETON RD (CH 1) from Castleton Rd to IL 93
DUNCAN RD (CH 4) from IL 78 to IL 91 

These load limitations may be posted between January 15 and April 15.  Please visit our website at http://starkco.illinois.gov/highway/ to find out when these load limits are in effect or contact our office at (309) 286-5031. 

The roadways can sustain extensive damage from normal loads during the spring when the ground is soft.  Please abide by these weight limits and remember they are your roads. 
Contact County Engineer, Jonathan J. Hodel, P.E. at the Stark County Highway Department if you have any questions at (309) 286-5031.

Posted Bridges

All bridges in Stark County over 20 feet in length are inspected biannually in accordance with the FHWA's National Bridge Inspection Standards (NBIS). Occasionally it is necesary to post weight limits on these bridges due to structural deficiencies. This map shows all of the bridge postings or closures within Stark County. Although it can cause an inconvenience to the traveling public, these postings are strictly enforced and it is very important that motorists abide by these postings for their own safety. Any bridges that are currently posted or closed are made top priority for replacement as funding becomes available. CLICK HERE FOR LARGER .JPG VERSION CLICK HERE FOR HIGH RESOLUTION PDF VERSION