New Lenox will get to hire some new planners after receiving a grant to help with planning for the reconstruction of U.S. Highway 30/Lincoln Highway.

The village is among 62 recipients to share in a $4.2 million, three-year U.S. Housing and Urban Development grant to assist local agencies with staffing.

The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, which is operating the grant, put out a call for proposals in January and received 222 proposals from more than 130 agencies. It announced the 62 winners in March, including New Lenox, said agency spokesman Tom Garritano.

As a result of the funding, CMAP planners and community outreach specialists could be working out of the New Lenox Village Hall two or three days per week, said Pete Saunders, CMAP senior planner.

However, no personnel have yet been assigned and they won’t start until the fall.

One goal of the team could be to improve pedestrian access near the New Lenox Metra station.

“We are excited to be able to help look at ways to improve the Route 30 corridor,” Saunders said, adding that future development opportunities and aesthetic improvements will be researched.

The team will help draft an official U.S. 30 corridor study, he said.