Gurnee reports record pavement year, advancing water main and pedestrian projects

Public works and engineering staff told the Board Committee of the Whole on Oct. 27 that the village completed about 8.8 miles of resurfacing this year and about 9.5 miles when reconstruction is included, producing a pavement condition index (PCI) of roughly 71 — an improvement of about 10 points from the prior year.

Heather, speaking for public works and engineering, said staff will meet with public works to assemble a preliminary candidate list for the FY27 pavement program. Engineering also described a data‑driven approach to water main replacements that considers break history, pipe material and age; staff emphasized prioritizing replacement of older cast‑iron mains and eliminating dead‑end sections. Notable projects this year included cast‑iron main replacement in the Stony Island area and looping projects on Blackstone, Estes and Ferndale.

On sanitary sewer infrastructure, engineering said sewer lines were extended to Quality Acres to give residents the option to connect when septic systems fail. Staff reported continuing the multiyear SCADA master plan in discrete steps and said street‑lighting conduit installations in Tri State and other areas improved infrastructure readiness.

Nick, the pedestrian planning lead, said the Blue Ribbon Commission list was updated and four new pedestrian projects were added; he expects 13 of 35 projects completed by 2026. Key items include the Hunt Club/Washington intersection pedestrian connection and a proposed Gages Lake/Route 21 crossing pending IDOT permits. Design work for Fuller Road and a Granville right‑of‑way sidewalk were also underway.

Staff said these infrastructure priorities will inform the five‑year capital plan and the March 2026 budget discussions.