Water main, sewer work continues in downtown Huntley

Water main and sanitary sewer work is under way this week in downtown Huntley.

Upgrades include replacing or rehabilitating existing water and sewer utilities ahead of the start of downtown streetscape improvements.

It's part of nearly $4 million in downtown improvements to upgrade infrastructure, including relocating overhead and underground utilities, renovating stormwater and sewer lines, and improving landscaping and sidewalks near the downtown square.

The revitalization will happen in five phases, starting with utility relocation and water/sewer upgrades, which should be mostly completed by May 15.

"So far, they have been successful in meeting the schedule and target," Village Manager Dave Johnson said.

On Thursday, the village board will consider bids of more than $500,000 for the relocation of overhead utilities - ComEd, Comcast and AT&T lines - underground, Johnson added.

Berger Excavating this week will be installing a water main on Woodstock Street just north of Coral to Second Street. The work will last at least one week and require a temporary shutdown of water and sewer service to tie into the existing water main. The shutdown will last about four hours and affected residents and businesses will be notified. Once the water comes back on, those homes and businesses must boil drinking water for five minutes for the next 36 hours, until the water is tested and passes inspection, officials said.

Eateries also will need to coordinate with the health department, if they choose to remain open for business during the boil order period.

Workers will replace roughly 1,600 feet of water main along with new service connections, replace or adjust and line existing sanitary sewer manholes, line sanitary sewers, and install roughly 260 feet of new sanitary sewers and make related improvements. The project area is along Main Street and Coral Street from Dwyer Street to Church Street; Woodstock Street from Main Street to Third Street and Church Street from the alley south of Main Street to Second Street.

The work marks the final phase of Huntley's downtown revitalization effort, which began last year and will continue through October.

The revitalization plan calls for widening sidewalks along Main Street, reconstructing streets and adding signage, and adding carriage walks with raised planters, benches, bike racks, trash receptacles and trees along the parkway. Main Street would be raised to reduce curb heights and make the street closer to level with sidewalks. Parking would be reconfigured along Main Street and within the municipal parking lot, creating additional spaces throughout downtown to accommodate a 5,400-square-foot mixed-use commercial building under construction. A new parking lot also is proposed south of Main Street businesses.

For downtown construction updates, visit huntley.il.us.