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Village engineer says water-system SRF/TMF plan ready; construction likely delayed into summer
Summary
An engineer told the Village of Saint Charles council that the TMF grant-backed SRF plan and permit are ready but rural development approvals and a contractor investigation have pushed work from 2025 into 2026; bidding could begin in March–April with construction earliest by June.
An engineer reported to the Village of Saint Charles council that background materials and permitting for the TMF grant–funded State Revolving Fund (SRF) water-system improvements are complete, but external reviews and approvals have delayed the project into 2026. Mark Norton identified the project as the "2025 water system improvements," saying the village has the permit and "Everything's ready to go" pending final sign-off and rural development feedback.
Norton told the council the engineering team has completed the background-information section and is finalizing remaining plan sections and an analysis comparing proposed work to viable alternatives. He said existing contingencies in the project budget could cover two to three additional galvanized service-lead replacements if the council chooses to add them.
Council members asked about winter construction challenges and hydro-excavation in below-zero conditions. Norton and other staff said bidding would follow approvals: once the village is authorized to advertise, a 30-day bid period is typical and an award could follow in roughly two months. Under that schedule, the earliest on-site work would be mid-to-late spring or June.
Norton also flagged a separate delay to the Safe Routes to School project after a contractor reported finding human remains (described in the record as a tooth) during review. That finding prompted a separate investigation; Norton said the village is following up with investigators and remains concerned that protracted inquiries could affect funding but that they are "keeping on them" to avoid extended delays.
The council took no formal action on the project during the meeting; staff said they will continue to press rural development for timelines and return with updates at future meetings.
