Carpentersville bridge work wins 'Project of the Year'

The reconstruction of Carpentersville's Main Street Bridge and rebuilding of Sleepy Hollow Road brought the village top honors this week from a national public works organization.

The American Public Works Association, Fox Valley Branch named the bridge renovation the Project of the Year for transportation projects in the $2 million to $10 million category.

The village's overhaul of a stretch of Sleepy Hollow Road was honored as Project of the Year for transportation projects less than $2 million.

"With all of the infrastructure challenges in the village, this shows what has been done," Village Engineer Scott Marquardt said. "The recognition we are getting for them is good for the village."

For more than six months in 2006, the village worked to replace the 70-year-old span, one of three regional crossings over the Fox River.

The $3.2 million project rebuilt the roadway and replaced water utilities under Main Street.

For significantly less -- about $900,000 -- the village ridded Sleepy Hollow road of axle-breaking potholes and tire-busting ditches.

In the spring, the village began resurfacing the roadway and installing curbs and sidewalks from Grandview Drive to Algonquin's village limits.

Marquardt said the honor was especially rewarding since the project required the cooperation of three governmental agencies.

Portions of the project fell under the jurisdiction of Carpentersville, Algonquin and Dundee Township.

"The Sleepy Hollow Road project was a good example of governmental agencies working together and cooperating to get a project done," Marquardt said.

Carpentersville now will compete against other branch winners at the Chicago Metropolitan Chapter level, Marquardt said.

Marquardt said the two accolades are the first the village has received for transportation projects from the public works association.

The village's water treatment facility and water quality, however, have received numerous awards, Marquardt said.

Marquardt added Main Street Bridge also received a merit award for engineering excellence for design from the American Council of Engineering Companies.