Lake Bluff outlines $3.9M East North stormwater phase; engineers detail multi‑phase plan and funding needs
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Summary
Village engineer Jeff Hansen told the SCC the East North construction contract is $3.9 million and expected to be substantially complete by July 4; the project is part of a larger multi‑phase stormwater master plan that has drawn a $750,000 federal earmark and a $2.7 million DCEO grant, with later phases potentially funded by bonds and state contributions.
Village Engineer Jeff Hansen updated the Sustainability & Conservation Committee on Feb. 17 on the village’s stormwater master plan, describing the current East North Avenue construction as the first phase of a multi‑year effort to reduce flooding and improve water quality.
Hansen said crews are installing a 72‑inch (6‑foot) diameter storm sewer that will tie to the lake; the current downstream connection is 48 inches, so the new spine is substantially larger than the outlet. The construction contract for the phase under way is approximately $3.9 million; Hansen said crews are progressing quickly and that this phase is expected to be complete by July 4, with localized storm sewer connections hooked in as appropriate.
The engineer outlined funding sources already secured and being pursued: a roughly $750,000 federal earmark from Lake County/Representative Schneider has been used for engineering work, and the village received a $2.7 million grant from DCEO. Hansen noted the village approved a stormwater utility fee in 2024 to help support ongoing work. Later phases — including the Scranton Viaduct portion and Sheridan Road segments — could total roughly $12 million for one phase and another $6 million for a state‑right‑of‑way segment; those phases may require bonds, additional grants, or state assistance.
Hansen explained the project incorporates green infrastructure elements — swales, plantings and water‑quality structures — and described a below‑ground ConTec CDS hydrodynamic separator that diverts the first flush of pollutant‑laden water into a treatment chamber. He said maintenance will rely on the village’s vacuum truck to remove captured sediments and floatables and that staff expect to clean the structures a few times a year depending on storm events.
Hansen also described related projects: ravine stabilization where erosion has threatened backyards, work on Evanston Avenue, and upcoming bids for Block 1 of downtown improvements (bids due March 4). Committee members asked about design life for reinforced concrete pipe (Hansen estimated 75–100 years depending on installation) and whether the new spine will be used immediately; Hansen said storm sewers on East North that currently flood will be hooked in and provide localized relief even before complementary "straw" connections are added.
Next steps: staff will receive bids for Block 1 on March 4 and expect to present contracts for board consideration on March 9; engineering for the next two phases is scheduled for award in April and construction of additional phases is tentatively targeted for 2028 and beyond, dependent on funding.