2026 Water Main Improvements – Contract A – Project Update 7/17/2026

Fifth Avenue (Forest to Algonquin)

Work has begun on Fifth Avenue.  This week, the contractor has worked on constructing a new 10” ductile iron pipe water main.  On Monday, they will fill up the water main with water, flush out any debris, and conduct a pressure test.  Once this test passes, they will chlorinate the main in order to begin transferring water service lines from the old water main to the new water main.  Next week, the contractor plans to remove and replace broken sanitary service line connections.   They will also begin the road widening process next week.  As part of this project, new 1 ½” copper water services will be connected to each residence.  Any residence with an existing lead or galvanized water service line will have the pipe replaced all the way to the meter.  This may require disturbing and restoring the area in the house around your water meter. Once the water main is completed, storm sewer improvements will occur.  The sanitary sewer main is scheduled for repair via lining.  This will temporarily affect your ability to drain waste water.  You will be notified of the schedule as it is known.  After completion of all underground utilities, the existing pavement and driveway aprons will be completely removed, and a new gravel road base installed.  Next, curb & gutter, sidewalk (as needed), and driveway aprons will be constructed.  After the concrete items are completed, the new asphalt pavement will be constructed.  Landscape restoration with sod, street sign replacement, and pavement striping will occur in the early fall.  This project is scheduled to be substantially completed by the end of August. 

 

Birch Street (Touhy to north end)

Work on Birch Street is scheduled to begin in mid/late August.  This project includes road widening with complete road reconstruction, including new concrete curb & gutter on the east side, as well as new concrete sidewalk on the east side.  Also, a new storm sewer and an 8” ductile iron pipe water main is to be installed, with new 1 ½” copper water services connected to each residence.  Any residence with an existing lead or galvanized water service line will have the pipe replaced all the way to the meter.  This may require disturbing and restoring the area in the house around your water meter. Once the water main is completed, storm sewer improvements will occur.  After completion of all underground utilities, the existing pavement and driveway aprons will be completely removed, and a new gravel road base installed.  Next, curb & gutter, sidewalk (as needed), and driveway aprons will be constructed.  After the concrete items are completed, the new asphalt pavement will be constructed.  Landscape restoration with sod, street sign replacement, and pavement striping will occur in the early fall.  This project is scheduled to be substantially completed by the end of October.

 

Prairie Avenue (Fifth to Second)

Work on Prairie is tentatively scheduled to begin in September.   This project includes road widening with complete road reconstruction, including concrete curb & gutter, concrete driveway apron replacement, and concrete sidewalk replacement (as necessary).  Also, an 8” ductile iron pipe water main is to be installed, with new 1 ½” copper water services connected to each residence.  Any residence with an existing lead or galvanized water service line will have the pipe replaced all the way to the meter.  This may require disturbing and restoring the area in the house around your water meter. Once the water main is completed, storm sewer improvements will occur.  After completion of all underground utilities, the existing pavement and driveway aprons will be completely removed, and a new gravel road base installed.  Next, curb & gutter, sidewalk (as needed), and driveway aprons will be constructed.  After the concrete items are completed, the new asphalt pavement will be constructed.  As part of this project, street parking will be shifted to the south side of Prairie, and a new stop sign will be added at the intersection of Prairie and Fifth to accommodate the shift in parking lane location.  Landscape restoration with sod, street sign replacement, and pavement striping will occur in the fall.  This project is scheduled to be substantially completed by the end November.

 

Please contact the Project Engineer Eric Heiker if you have any questions or concerns at:

eheiker@desplainesil.gov

(847) 391-5617 (office)

(847) 561-0720 (cell – leave a message or text)