Numerous public works projects will take place this summer and fall in Westmont. One of the main projects is the resurfacing of more than 18 roadways in the suburb.
In 2013, trustees issued $11 million in bond funds, which included $8 million earmarked for road projects. Village officials said at the time that the bond funds were needed because the roads were crumbling and there was no money to fix them. The plan was to resurface about 50 percent of village roads in three years.
The village will this year use motor fuel tax funds and $1.6 million from the bond to pay for the projects. “We will be halfway done with the three-year (resurfacing) program,” Westmont Mayor Ron Gunter said. “We are excited that the roads will finally be repaired.”
Spencer Parker, the villagedirector, said the revenue to pay off the 20-year bond will come mostly from a “place for eating”and motor and utility taxes. The village board two years ago signed off on a 1.5 percent “places for eating” tax that will generate more than $760,000 per year.
The suburb has other various projects planned for this summer and fall, too. The village is partnering with property owners along the St. Joseph Creek between 61st Street and 63rd Street to address erosion issues. This streambank stabilization project involves both land transfers as well as physical construction of stabilization methods including stone, gabion walls and natural vegetation. The cost of this project is $338,470.
The village will also do water main replacement at West End Avenue and Park Street. Crews will replace 2,800 linear feet of 80-year-old, 6-inch cast iron water main with new 8-inch water main. The village will also install eight new fire hydrants and two new valves at the site.
Other projects include a detention basin modification project near Oakwood Drive and 35th Street and a road-widening reconstruction project on Cumnor Road between 59th and 61st streets.
The roads to be resurfaced include:
Chestnut Avenue between Cass Avenue and Blackhawk Drive;
Plaza Drive between Cass Avenue and East End Avenue;
Wilmette Avenue between Ogden Avenue and Chicago Avenue;
Warwick Avenue between Ogden Avenue and Chicago Avenue;
Linden Avenue between Chicago Avenue and Burlington Avenue;
Norfolk Street between Cass Avenue to the east village limits;
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Cumnor Road between Naperville Road and Burlington Avenue;
Williams Street between Naperville Road and Burlington Avenue;
Burlington Avenue between Cumnor Road and Cass Avenue;
The Indian Trails subdivision;
Lincoln Street between Quincy Street and 55th Street;
59th Street between Cass Avenue to Cumnor Road;
61st Street between Williams Street to Fairview Avenue;
Williams Street between 63rd Street and 67th Street;
Cove Lane between Williams Street to west village limits;
Tracey Court between Williams Street to west village limits;
Falcon Place between Cass Avenue and east village limits; and
East Cass Avenue alley between 55th Street to Linden Avenue.
Jospeh Ruzich is a freelance journalist for the baiduhai.