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Mayor details downtown interceptor project to tackle chronic flooding
Summary
Mayor Paul described a multi-mile downtown interceptor pipeline designed to fix recurring downtown flooding, saying the work began under a 2017 state/IDEM agreement, is roughly 25% complete and will connect to the wastewater plant along Maryville Road.
Mayor Paul said the city is moving ahead on a long‑planned downtown interceptor sewer project intended to end recurring downtown flooding.
The project installs a roughly 4‑foot‑diameter pipe running about three miles from the downtown area to the wastewater plant along Maryville Road. "This project will finally resolve the long standing flooding issues that we have in the downtown area," Paul said, adding the construction segment near Dairy Queen on North Main Street should finish this month and crews have opened Joliet Street at Harrington.
Why it matters: downtown intersections such as Main and South and Court and South have historically flooded during heavy downpours, sometimes dislodging manhole covers and flooding yards and basements. The mayor said the main existing pipe cannot handle peak flows; the new interceptor will allow better flow control into the wastewater plant and reduce backups.
Scope and schedule: Paul said the interceptor has been on local plans since 2017 and the city is only about 25 percent complete. The project is part of a multi‑year program the city must complete under an agreement with the state and IDEM that includes a 10‑year compliance window. "You have 10 years to do it," he said, characterizing the project as expensive and lengthy.
Related work and communications: the mayor noted the city hosted media coverage and took a television crew to the Harrington Avenue site when workers lowered a large pipe into a 30‑foot pit. He encouraged residents with questions to ask city staff and said the work affects downtown infrastructure and surrounding areas, not newer developments.
Budget and delivery: Paul did not specify a total project cost at the meeting but said the city has opened bids on related demolition and construction tasks and staff and legal review returned contractor proposals. He urged patience as city staff verify each bid’s inclusions.
Next steps: the mayor said sections of the project will continue through the season and staff will provide monthly updates. Residents interested in viewing construction were advised not to enter active work zones but are welcome to ask for status updates from city staff.
