Flood reduction efforts highlight Des Plaines infrastructure plan
Des Plaines’ public works and engineering department will undertake a number of capital improvement projects this year, including the ongoing implementation of the city’s Stormwater Master Plan aimed at alleviating sewer backups as well as street and neighborhood flooding.
The city will spend $1.5 million on enhancements to combined and storm sewers in two areas — south of Rand Road east of Algonquin Road, and Graceland and Oakwood avenues, said Tim Oakley, director of public works and engineering.
The city also will be spending roughly $300,000 to lay permeable concrete on three sections of alleyways along Campbell/Algonquin, Laurel/Graceland, and Washington/Brown roads.
Other projects to be completed this year include installing raised crosswalks on Thacker Street at two main approaches to Central School as part of the Safe Routes to School program. The pilot project involves constructing six curb extensions, adding pavement markings and building a sidewalk along Prairie Avenue.
The $304,600 cost for the project is funded entirely through state grants. Work will be completed by next fall.
City officials plan to apply for future safe routes grants for similar projects at the other Des Plaines Elementary District 62 schools.
Work on a refuge median along a stretch of Miner Street near the Metra station and transit center landscaping will be completed this year at an estimated cost of between $60,000 and $100,000, Oakley said.
The Des Plaines Civic Center, which includes City Hall and the police station, will see upgrades this year with a new heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
Oakley said the project will be self-funded through savings realized by improving the buildings’ energy efficiency.
City Hall roof repairs also will be done this year to patch up leaks.
Two major projects not under the city’s control should be completed in July: the $450 million Des Plaines casino and the $15 million first phase of Des Plaines River Road reconstruction between Devon and Touhy avenues.
Reconstruction of that 1.5-mile stretch of River Road involves widening, raising and reconstructing the road bed to protect it against flooding from the Des Plaines River. As part of the project, a traffic light will be installed at the main entrance to the casino.
Work on the second phase of River Road reconstruction, a $25 million state project between Rand Road and Touhy Avenue, may begin later this year.
The Illinois Department of Transportation also will be replacing bridges at Rand and Wolf roads, and install new traffic signals at Northwest Highway’s junction with Broadway and Seegers roads.