Carol Stream planning bridge, water main work

Two preliminary engineering contracts, one to prepare for the replacement of a troublesome water main along Schmale Road and the other to prepare for replacement of the aging Illini Drive bridge, have won approval from the Carol Stream village board.

The board this week approved a consulting contract not to exceed $127,554.23 with Thomas Engineering Group for the Schmale Road project and a consulting pact not to exceed $79,903.01 with Wills Burke Kelsey Associates Ltd. for the Illini Drive work.

Officials said the Illini Drive work became necessary when inspectors discovered cracks on the bridge deck. Jim Knudsen, village director of engineering services, said inspectors also found problems with concrete falling off the deck and rust.

Illinois Department of Transportation inspectors told village officials they would need to implement weight restrictions unless the bridge is repaired.

“Not that it is unsafe,” Knudsen said, “but we would need a precautionary measure.”

Knudsen said officials hope to complete initial engineering work by year's end and to seek bids for the actual repairs in spring.

The village also is facing problems along Schmale Road, where a series of water main breaks have disrupted businesses.

“They (business owners) know our public works department by first name now,” Knudsen said.

The first phase of that project will involve selecting a route along Schmale for the new water main. Knudsen said the village will coordinate its efforts with adjacent property owners and hold an open house to allow affected business owners to view the preliminary plans and collect other project information.

“It will be critical for them (the property owners) to minimize the amount of disturbances to their operations,” Knudsen said.