Council approves $7.9 million Heggie Park water-main contract and accepts IEPA loans for water projects

The City of Joliet on March 18 approved multiple water-infrastructure measures, including a $7,895,977.38 contract for the Heggie Park phase 1 water-main improvements and an amendment to hire Baxter & Woodman Inc. for detailed design of the 2026 water-main rehabilitation program.

Council memo 203-25 authorized award of the Heggie Park phase 1 water-main project to PT Farrell Construction Company for $7,895,977.38. Council discussion noted the contract’s elevated cost reflected complexities including crossing the Canadian National railroad and work in a wooded, hilly area.

Council memo 204-25 approved Amendment No. 1 to the professional services agreement for the 2026 water-main rehabilitation program, awarding detailed design services to Baxter & Woodman Inc. for $1,292,000. City staff described this as engineering for a larger, city-only program to reduce water loss and prepare for the alternate-water-source program.

The council also approved resolutions to accept Illinois Environmental Protection Agency low-interest loans for water projects, including resolutions recorded on the agenda as L176076 and L176079, and passed multiple related change orders and final pay estimates for water-main projects discussed in committee.

Why it matters: The contracts and loans fund multi-year investments in the city’s water distribution infrastructure, including replacement and rehabilitation projects designed to reduce water loss and prepare for the city’s alternative water source program. Several items were large in scope and will require multi-year engineering and construction efforts.

Direct attributions: Finance and public-service committee members reviewed the packages; a council member noted the crossing of the CN rail line as a complicating factor. The award to PT Farrell and the Baxter & Woodman amendment were approved on roll-call votes.

Ending: With council authorization and IEPA loan acceptance, staff will proceed with contracting, engineering and construction scheduling. The city indicated it will use IEPA loan proceeds and capital budgets to fund design and construction phases, with additional coordination for right-of-way and railroad work where needed.