A major infrastructure project to replace a water main and improve sewers has been going according to plan, according to Village Administrator Tim Gillian.
The roughly $2.3 million project is being completed by Swallow Construction from Downers Grove and involves replacing the water main and cleaning and separating the sewers on Circle Avenue from Harlem Avenue to Franklin Street.
Areas impacted are those in the Brown Street Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District, which includes primarily the area between the railroad embankment (the village’s northernmost border) and Franklin Street, and between Harlem Avenue and Lathrop Avenue.
“The water main is complete, and they’re working on the sewers now,” said Gillian. That area, he pointed out, still has older water mains, some of which were as small as 4 inches diameter. A larger one will be a significant service upgrade.
The sewers are also being separated, which allows rainwater and sewage to drain separately.
“Any time we can take advantage of an opportunity to separate them, we do. It relieves demand on the storm water system,” said Gillian, and this can help with flooding, though it won’t be a complete fix.
The project began about six weeks ago and will hopefully be completed before the first snowfall, said Gillian. The final stages will involve resurfacing of streets and sidewalks as well as landscaping.
To make sure residents are inconvenienced as little as possible, all those potentially affected by the project have the cellphone number of Forest Park’s resident engineer. Additionally, Gillian, Public Works Director John Doss, and the water department are involved on an almost daily basis to ensure the project continues smoothly.
