Aurora aldermen approve design contract for canoe-chute repair on Fox River Trail

Aurora aldermen approved a contract to design repairs at the wall between the canoe chute and the Fox River Trail after staff said rising water infiltration has worsened the damage and the repair will require specialized measures and federal permits.

Ian Wade of the engineering division told aldermen the work will likely include measures such as coffer dams and sheet piling to make repairs in a location that is not easily accessible to construction equipment. "There's this this fee also includes permitting with the Army Corps of Engineers, and working with, the city to, determine how best to even approach this repair," Wade said. He described the problem as having grown with recent heavy rain events and higher river levels.

Shannon Cameron, chief of staff, said the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has paused a broader Corps study into dam removal. "The federal government has paused all of that," she said, noting the pause affects the timeline for any large-scale removal decision. Council members and staff nonetheless said the visible infiltration at the canoe chute requires prompt design work because waiting could increase costs and risks.

The motion to proceed with the consultant selection and design work was moved and seconded; the council recorded a voice vote and the motion passed 4-0. Staff said the design phase will include permitting with federal agencies and more detailed site analysis before construction is scheduled.