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Oswego details $351 million Water Link and $26.4 million public-works facility in 2026 CIP
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Summary
Village staff outlined a sweeping 2026 capital-improvement program that includes a $26.4 million public works facility, a $351 million multi-jurisdictional Water Link to bring Lake Michigan water, federally funded road work and upgrades to downtown and utility infrastructure.
The Village of Oswego’s Committee of the Whole received a detailed presentation of the 2026 capital-improvement program that highlighted a major regional water pipeline and sizeable local facility investments.
Kurt, a village staff presenter, told trustees the new public works facility at 100 Theodore Drive will add 13,000 square feet of office space and 78,000 square feet of garage space, and that the approved budget for the project is $26,400,000. “Construction fencing was installed last week and the work is expected to begin within the next two weeks,” Kurt said, with completion targeted for 2027.
Staff also described the Water Link project, a multi-jurisdiction pipeline to deliver Lake Michigan water to Oswego, Montgomery and Yorkville. The presenter said the total estimated cost is $351,000,000 divided into eight segments; Segment 1 is under construction on Book Road, Segment 2 has been awarded but lacks a firm start date from the DuPage Water Commission contractor, and Segments 3 and 4 could begin as early as June. Metering-station design (Segment 5) is expected to go to bid this summer, and Segment 6 is currently out to bid.
Other utility and infrastructure items included three receiving stations (Ogden Falls, Cole Avenue and Tuscany Trails) tied to the Lake Michigan connection, a $9.5 million construction contract cited for related works, and pump-station security upgrades that will install 8-foot perimeter fencing at 10 sites this summer and fall.
Trustees asked about traffic and school impacts where the Water Link crosses local roads. Kurt said much of the alignment runs in a ComEd corridor outside roadways and that temporary closures where crossings occur should be minimal; staff said they are trying to schedule disruptive work outside of school activity when feasible.
The capital presentation also covered street programs and downtown infrastructure: the South Harrison Streetscape is roughly 75% designed with budgeted construction costs of $1,930,000; the village’s annual road-resurfacing program is underway and expected to finish by fall; and the Main Street water-main replacement—split into two phases—received an apparent low bid of $3,400,000 with a recommendation on the regular village board agenda that evening.
The committee did not take final action on the projects during the open session; items such as contractor guarantees and formal award recommendations were listed as agenda items for the regular board meeting.