DuPage County approves contracts to spur Armstrong Park reservoir project

A long-awaited project to reduce the threat of flooding near Carol Stream's Armstrong Park could begin by as early as June.

The DuPage County Board this week approved three contracts to clear the way for the $12.5 million project.

"This area's had just horrible flooding over the last five years and it's been a long process," county board member Jim Zay said.

Zay said the "biggest holdup" for the project was the 18-month wait to obtain a safety permit from the state.

Construction should be completed by next spring, he said.

Zay said money for the work comes from county reserves, bond sales and a $3 million federal grant.

Plans call for construction of two reservoirs, officials said. When water rises in nearby Klein Creek, it will spill first into the smaller reservoir and then a pumping station will move it into the larger one.

The water from the larger reservoir will be released through an outlet pipe back into the creek in an area south of Armstrong Park.

The reservoirs will be designed like natural basins and be part of the park's landscape.

The project will be completed in three phases, Zay said. The first involves building the reservoirs, the second involves construction of the pumping station and the third focuses on installation of pipes.

Earthwerks Land Improvement & Development Corp. will handle the first two phases and H. Linden & Sons Sewer and Water Inc., will be responsible for the third, according to county board documents.

The project is a joint endeavor among the county, village and Carol Stream Park District.