2026 Water Main Improvements – Contract A – Project Update 8/14/2026

2026 Water Main Improvements – Contract A – Project Update 8/14/2026

Fifth Avenue (Forest to Algonquin)

This week, the contractor has worked on pouring new concrete curb & gutter, sidewalks, and driveway aprons.  Next week, the contractor will begin removing the remaining existing pavement and reconstructing the road base.  On Thursday, August 20, the contractor plans to pave the first layer of asphalt pavement.  On Friday, the concrete subcontractor will return to pour any remaining sidewalk.  The contractor will also adjust any manhole frames in the pavement to the finished elevation.  On Saturday, August 22, they plan to pave the final layer of asphalt pavement.  Landscape restoration with sod, street sign replacement, and pavement striping will occur in the next few weeks.  This project is scheduled to be substantially completed by August 22. 

 

Birch Street (Touhy to north end)

This week, the contractor has worked on storm sewer construction.  The new water main has successfully passed the pressure test and is currently undergoing chlorination testing.  Next week, they will continue construction of the new storm sewer.  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)

This week, the contractor started construction on the new 8” ductile iron pipe water main.  Next week, they will continue with water main construction.  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 of 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)