East Riverwalk construction delayed after DNR cites fish-spawning restrictions; city seeks variance

City leaders said the East Riverwalk project is facing a potential delay after the Illinois Department of Natural Resources raised concerns about the river redhorse (a fish species) being in spawning season and restricted river work through Aug. 1.

Mayor and staff briefed council that the contractor and city had expected mussel relocation work and associated in-river construction to begin in late June. The city had been coordinating with DNR and the contractor, but officials said they only recently received notice that the redhorse fish are spawning and that river work is not allowed during the period the agency identified. City staff said the restriction was not mentioned in prior conservation-plan review sessions and that the city is seeking a variance or higher-level review because further delay would push construction past planned schedules and disrupt related contractor plans.

City Engineer and project staff have recommended proceeding with non-in-river work where possible, and the mayor said the city is pursuing appeals and higher-level conversations with state agencies to seek limited allowances. Officials told council they believe most relocation work could be finished before Aug. 1 but said DNR denied a 30-day variance request within the timeframe discussed at the meeting; the mayor said the administration will escalate the matter if necessary to avoid losing another month of construction.

Council also approved earlier that evening a resolution to accept a proposal for structural design services related to the East Riverwalk project; engineering approval remains in place while the environmental timing issue is resolved. City staff emphasized the project will be constructed but that project timing may change based on state permitting and species-protection requirements.