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Joliet council approves multimillion-dollar contracts and budget amendments for water, sewer and road projects
Summary
The City of Joliet approved awards and budget adjustments for sanitary sewer rehabilitation, water main and lead service line replacement, combined sewer overflow work, bridge engineering and related acquisitions and easements during its Feb. 4 council meeting.
The City of Joliet on Feb. 4 approved several contracts and budget amendments totaling tens of millions of dollars for water, sewer and transportation projects.
The council awarded the Guernsey Park Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Program contract to Hair Construction Inc. for $3,221,383 and approved an amendment to the 2025 sanitary sewer rehabilitation professional services agreement with RJN Group for an amount not to exceed $26,063,600. Council also awarded construction-related engineering services for the 2025 water main and lead service line replacement programs to Burns & McDonnell Engineering Co. for $4,584,963.79.
The council adopted an ordinance amending the 2024 budget related to the combined sewer overflow long-term control plan phase 4 east- and west-side regulator projects, adding $2,400,000 for deconstruction work and approving pay request No. 6 for $2,663,549.96.
Why it matters: these actions fund work the city says is intended to reduce basement backups, decrease leakage and replace aging infrastructure. City staff said the projects are part of multi-year programs already underway.
City staff member Allison, responding to a council request for clarity, explained the technical distinction between systems: “The city has been very proactive about rehabilitating our water and sewer systems… sanitary sewer rehabilitation includes mainlining, manhole rehabilitation, grouting and lateral lining to correct issues such as basement backups and infiltration,” and contrasted that with water main replacement, which targets leaking mains and main breaks. That explanation was given during discussion before votes on the sewer and water contracts.
Other related items approved included a $26,190 amendment for phase 2 engineering on the Ferrell Road over Spring Creek Bridge improvement and a single $26,100 change order for the same engineering services; the council also approved a resolution appropriating supplemental motor fuel tax funds for that phase 2 engineering effort.
The council approved a resolution accepting the donation of land and authorizing an easement agreement with TCIH Holdings LLC (Northpointe) for an alternative water source program; city officials clarified the donation will supply water to residents on that side of town and that any water tower for Northpointe would be funded by that development. The council also approved acquisition of property for Downtown Levy improvements for $115,000 (the amount presented during discussion was corrected from an earlier $150,000 figure).
Votes and formal actions were recorded on each item and carried as presented. Council members asked for and received brief technical clarifications from staff before voting.
Ending: The approvals advance multiple ongoing capital programs the city described as part of long-running efforts to reduce basement backups, modernize aging mains and complete planned bridge improvements. Council members said they expect additional contract and budget items to return as work proceeds.
