By Ted Schnell • BocaJump Staff
Efforts to bore beneath Route 31 to install a large storm sewer pipe apparently have failed, so on of Elgin's busiest thoroughfares will be closed to northbound traffic for four days as crews rush to cut through the pavement and install the 72-inch pipe.
Work on the $4.8 million Lord Street Basin combined sewer separation project started April 19, and is scheduled for completion Nov. 18. It is the first phase of storm sewer separation work in the area, which has been plagued in the past by sewer backups. A key element of the project is the new storm sewer line, which will carry stormwater from the Lord Street Basin neighborhood west of Route 31 all the way to the Fox River.
The open-cut trench work will require Route 31 to be closed to northbound traffic from Route 20 to Adams Street for four days beginning at 6 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 24. One lane of traffic will remain open in the southbound direction through the duration of this closure, the city said.
The northbound detour will reroute traffic west on Route 20, north on McLean Boulevard, east on Larkin and Highland avenues, and back to northbound Route 31. The detour route will be posted with appropriate signs.
To minimize the timeline of closure to Route 31, the city has agreed to allow the contractor to expedite the completion of this work. The work will occur during the days from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. from Wednesday through Saturday, Aug. 27.
Originally, crews were supposed to bore beneath the roadway, but Elgin Public Services Director David Lawry told the City Council two weeks ago that soil conditions had changed since borings were conducted in preparation for the project. The sandy soil was collapsing as the contractor attempted to bore through the soil. Lawry had expressed hope that an alternative called grouting would work, because the city wanted to avoid shutting down Route 31 if possible.
A city release issued Monday afternoon indicates appreciation of the public’s patience during this project. For questions regarding this project please feel free to contact Eric Weiss, P.E., Water Operations Engineer, at 1-847-931-6159.
