Trustees press DPW to reopen North Oakland cross streets where feasible during construction

Trustee McGovern urged village staff to reopen cross streets on North Oakland Avenue "as many as we feasibly can," saying residents who live a half‑block from the project have complained that barricades have kept intersections closed for months though only a few locations were visibly used for storage or staging. "I don't understand for the life of me why we are closing cross streets," McGovern said, pressing DPW for evidence that closures were necessary.

Leanne, who presented packet materials, told trustees the most recent construction schedule was included in the board packet but remains pending contract conformance review. Trustees asked DPW to clarify whether closed intersections are being used to store pipe or other materials and to provide documentation supporting prolonged closures.

DPW staff explained a practical constraint: after pavement is removed there can be a 12–24 inch grade difference to the subsurface that requires gravel and ramping to make an intersection safely usable. Staff said certain driveways and private entrances (including businesses noted in the record) remained open throughout the work, and that the contractor and engineer must be consulted to determine which intersections could be reopened without disrupting the construction schedule.

Trustees asked staff to get contractor cost and schedule estimates for ramping and reopening intersections where storage is not staged, and to balance those options against construction sequencing and communication needs. Staff agreed to return with cost estimates and a recommendation on prioritizing key intersections rather than reopening every crossing immediately.

The public‑works committee adjourned after the discussion and the board moved on to the village board agenda.